Fernando Alsonso leaves McLaren

[Nelson]

well, talk about hitting the self destruct button. What a waste of talent and an opportunity missed. For both camps. Who is the smart money on now for the seat ? A fast yet mature ambassador...Webby ?    Here at the Ron Fan Camp we shall never mention the name Fonzy Lonsy again.  :-X   sshhh.  

Will he be back to Renault or off to retirement within a year ?   I've got a number here for a Mr Chip Ganassi if he needs it  ;D

[C]

Hoooray. Hopefully he'll end up driveless next year.

And how about Garry Paffett for the spare seat. A British dream team...

[expat]

At last, the worst best kept secret is out.

Matt

[MWISimmer]

Apparently Ron Dennis has agreed to cancel Fernado's contract on the understanding he doesn't join a manufacturer team, namely Renault, BMW Toyota etc. That leaves him with SpykerForce India, Super Aguri, Williams, Prodrive (if they get entry to 2008) or one of the Red Bulls.
RBR anyone?

[Craig.]

I'd say Williams if thats true.
Although red bull would be more likely from a money stand point. The Williams team was the faster of the two though.
I find Alonsos comment "i know what I want to do, but dont know if its possible" comment interesting, that suggests a team with two confirmed drivers (Ferrari, BMW, honda, Red bull) Of those cross off ferrari, Jean todt refuses to hire Alonso, plus its only two weeks since they signed up Massa for 3 more years. Forget about Honda as I cant see Alonso at a team thats been that bad, plus again they only recently signed both drivers for the 2008 season. That leaves BMW and Red Bull. BMW are not as happy with Kubica as they were last year, apparently his inconsistancy and the fact that Heidfeld has been so much better than him, has rather upset some people there. So there was the possibility of sending Kubica elsewhere and hiring Fernando. Or Red Bull as mentioned. Maybe sending Webber off to Mclaren to once again show he's really not that good, while Fred sits for a year at RBR with a nice paycheck waiting for him at the end of it, then moving on to a bigger team in 2009, gives him a chance to see if Renault for instance picks up the pace, or BMW does drop Kubica.

[MWISimmer]

But Frank Williams is just like Ron; ie do it my way or else... Would FA fit in there?
I think he'll end up at RBR purely because of the money, and Dietrich and Christian get a high profile signing, furthering the Red Bull brand.

Then off to Renault in 2009.

[Craig.]

Yes but at Williams he would be the number one guy. Plus to be honest, Frank Williams is a guy who has a lot more respect in my book than Ron Dennis does. I cant ever remember the guy having the sort of criticism thrown his way the Ron Does. Plus he doesn't play the media game like ron. And finally he doesn't lie and bulls**T his drivers and fans like Ron does.

[MWISimmer]

An interesting artilcle here; Plenty of options for Fernando...

itv F1

It even mentions that FA has a pre-contract agreement with Ferrari for 2009, with hints that Kimi has said "I'm not in F1 for the long run"

Make of that what you will.  :P

[Craig.]

Good read, thanks.

[C]

I find Alonsos comment "i know what I want to do, but dont know if its possible" comment interesting, that suggests a team with two confirmed drivers (Ferrari, BMW, honda, Red bull)

As someone pointed out in last weeks Autosport (I suspect it was Nigel Roebuck or Mark Hughes' article), Massa's Ferrari contract may be worth very little to them at all - if Fernando was available they may just buy themselves out of it...

[Craig.]

Or just move Massa to test driver. Nothing has actually been said that its a driver only contract.
Both Ferrari test drivers are now getting rather old, Badoer being 36 and Gene now 33 so its quite possible Ferrari would move him to the testing role if nessicary.
However I dont see it happening, Luca Di-montezemelo (jacka*s) was last week prancing around bragging how it was his decision and his idea to rehire Massa. While also quoting he had the two best drivers on the grid. That being said, the way the guy treated Michael Schumacher after all he did for the team shows the guys ot to be trusted (but thats another story)
Simple fact is, Alonso wont be driving a Ferrari any time soon, unless he goes down to his local dealer and put his name down for the new Fxx Evolutione

[C]

However I dont see it happening, Luca Di-motezemelo (jacka*s) was last week prancing around bragging how it was his decision and his idea to rehire Massa.

Nothing do do with him having Jean Todt's son as his manager then. All Luca Montezumarolopolo...

[Craig.]

Well if it were up to him, the history books would have been re-written and it would be him who created Ferrari and not Enzo. The mans head is so far up his backside, that the lump in his throat is his nose.

[expat]

Apparently Ron Dennis has agreed to cancel Fernado's contract on the understanding he doesn't join a manufacturer team, namely Renault,

Well, either Flav does not give a ............ and thinks he can get around it or the rumour mill is in overdrive.

Flavio Briatore has made an offer

Matt

[TSC.]

Had to laugh at the last quote in the linked Flavio story from the-ex-pat.

[quote]"Coulthard and Webber are our drivers 100% for 2008. But in F1 nothing is for sure, things are only very probable.