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Update from the Rumor Mill: Where are you going, Fernando?
Earlier reports that reigning Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso has signed with Ferrari for next season seem to be mere speculation, although the prospect of the Spanish driver leaving McLaren at the fast-approaching end of the season is looking likely.
The back-to-back title holder has had an upsetting season battling it out with rookie driver Lewis Hamilton, who is all but completely assured the championship with 107 points to Alonso's 95 and only two races to go. The two leading pilots have been at each other's throats all season, and at last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix Hamilton stated repeatedly that he'd like to see his teammate leave. Alonso, in return, has professed his preference for obliging Hamilton's request, but only if he could find his way into a competitive car for 2008.
[Source: F1i.com]
Ferrari boss Jean Todt insists that there is a "zero percent chance" that Alonso will drive for the Scuderia next season, but not because Todt's previously-professed dislike of the Spaniard. Both Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa are locked in by contract for next season, and though contracts aren't what they used to be in F1 – after all, it's Alonso's that would have to be broken in the first place – the pundits don't see Maranello offloading either of their two current drivers.
Meanwhile Renault boss Flavio Briatore has made no secret of his desire to bring Alonso back to the French team, assuring him he'd have the clear #1 status, something he's missed at McLaren this year. F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone suggested Alonso could opt to sit the next season out, but Alonso says he's ruled that out. That leaves BMW-Sauber as the only competitive team left, but their roster is confirmed for 2008.
The only other teams that have yet to fill their seats for next season are Toyota (which Ralf Schumacher just vacated), the severely uncompetitive and recently-sold Spyker (to change names yet again next season) and, intriguingly, the new Prodrive team, which is tipped to partner up with the same McLaren to which Alonso is contracted.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
The Penguin 3:08PM (10/03/2007)
If he left it would probably be for Renault, but even with the problems at Mclaren he is still very concerned about whether or not Renault will have a competitive car next year.
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cellularcoffee 3:11PM (10/03/2007)
Alonso can always steal racing spec from McLaren and bring it to Renault
The Penguin 2:38PM (10/04/2007)
The Renault can have both Mclaren and Ferrari secrets! haha
Mr. Oak 3:34PM (10/03/2007)
NASCAR Baby!!
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testa di cazzo 3:53PM (10/03/2007)
it will probably end up being renault. although, as a renault fan, i don't know how i feel about him coming back, after back-stabbing us and all, leaving for the big-money team the first chance he got... i'd rather see us put our efforts into kovalainen and get a good 2nd driver for him who will help him, rather than try to steal his thunder.
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Bert 3:56PM (10/03/2007)
Fernando is the Stig?
He ain't going to Toyota (unless he wants to pull a 'Villeneuve' or even worse a 'RRRRrrrrralf'). Perhaps back Renault, if they can show they have a decent car for next year.
He won't want to go to Ferrari with Kimi there. Kimi is too strong and when he beats Alonso, Alonso will go gonzo like he did this year and last year. If Anyone leaves Ferrari it will be Massa.
I say 80% he stays put, 15% chance of going to Ferrari and 4.999% to Renault.
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Mr. Oak 4:57PM (10/03/2007)
Agreed, If he and Kimi were in the same car, it would drive him mad. He would on the floor in the back of the garage, curled up in the fetal position sucking his thumb.
....and yes he does remind me of JV.
Pat 3:58PM (10/03/2007)
He's taking lessons from Jacques Villeneuve ... how to go from #1 to whinny loser in a season ;-)
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Tagg 10:22PM (10/03/2007)
I can't wait to hear Villeneuve whine next year in NASCAR, maybe Kleenex could be his sponsor! That fool won't make half of the races because just like in F1 he's driving for a field filler of a team!! He goes from F1 champ, to F1 field filler and now top NASCAR teams say 'no thanks' when it comes to him. He will be done racing in less than a year. Alonso could be the youngest driver to retire from racing at the pace he's going.
Though I think Hamilton should just shut up and race because regardless of his success he is still a rookie and he doesn't need to be a mouth at this point in his career. Just let your performance do the talking and let Dennis take care of the business side.
nmd 4:27PM (10/03/2007)
One suggestion was that he/or Hamilton would go to Prodrive, which would be a McLaren Customer team for 2008, and is planning to field identical MP4/23 cars. This would put 4 identical McLaren chassis on the grid, and would give a chance for the two to still honor their McLaren contracts and be in quick cars, which not being direct teammates. Who knows though, as the fate of the customer car rules have yet to be set until the new Concorde agreement is drawn up.
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MikeInNC 4:29PM (10/03/2007)
They should send him to Spyker to be a test driver for getting his arse kicked by a rookie.
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tpp 4:48PM (10/03/2007)
MikeInNC, I should've reloaded the page before putting my 2 cents in :)
Great minds think alike? :)
tpp 4:47PM (10/03/2007)
How about a test driver for Spyker?
That way he could continue to whine all he wants. With good reason, for a change.
What a primadonna. I hope he continues to be the #2 driver on any team he goes to from now till eternity.
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judd 5:36PM (10/03/2007)
Stop beating up on him!
He's just a baby!
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Luis Camino 5:55PM (10/03/2007)
mercedes buys mclaren and former mclaren becomes prodrive, so they don't have to pay about 35 of the 100 million FIA fine, and:
mercedes team with alonso
prodrive team with hamilton
de la rosa as second driver of one of the teams, another new driver and everybody's happy.
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Craig 7:33PM (10/03/2007)
And a spare seat for Webber :)
That guy has the worst luck in F1 and deserves a decent car.
Philthy 10:26PM (10/03/2007)
Hear hear!!
Pat H 8:01PM (10/03/2007)
Further to the comments of another Pat,
Absolutely right on. Hero to zero in one year flat.
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andybee 8:18PM (10/03/2007)
hamilton will stay with McLaren, he wont goto Prodrive, certainly if he does become World Champion. if Prodrive does happen, then expect Paffett in one of the seats.
As for Alonso, it doesnt see as there is any way back for him at McLaren. He will probably end up at Renault. Fisicella is past it, and talks about resigning him have stopped, so that seat is potentially available.
Jean Todt has said, he wont be coming to Ferrari,,,but then went on about how great Alonso is at length, so maybe thats a smoke screen. Does mean Massa may have to find a new seat (toyota?) but I'd be surprised if that happens.
If Alonso goes, then McLaren has to fill the seat. In theory, Paffett could get the seat, but there have been doubts about his ultimate pace. Nico Rosberg and Adrian Sutil are both regarded as future stars so either could end up as Lewis team mate, a position both drivers held before in F3 and GP2.
I think it would be great to see Sutil at McLaren
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Chocolate 10:00PM (10/03/2007)
F1 is becoming more and more intersting ... I can't wait to see what next season is like.
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