F1 Did Alonso flirt with BMW switch?

[Zafiro]

Team principal Mario Theissen has played down suggestions that BMW-Sauber seriously flirted with signing Fernando Alonso for the 2008 season.

Some sections of the media recently linked the long delay in confirming a new BMW contract for Nick Heidfeld next year with reports that unhappy reigning world champion Alonso was looking to leave McLaren.

But Theissen, an unabashed admirer of the 26-year-old Spaniard, told the news agency Sport-Informations-Dienst: “They were two completely separate issues.”

He was also quoted as saying by Deutsche Presse Agentur: “Alonso is of course a great driver, but this was never a consideration for us.”

Theissen, however, insisted that he is “happy” that top drivers like Alonso are now beginning to see BMW as an attractive team to drive for.

Asked specifically if either BMW or Alonso’s management had spoken to one another about a collaboration, he answered: “Not seriously, no.”

But he said the Spaniard has “very probably observed the development of our team” during 2007.

Theissen also would not confirm reports that Heidfeld’s new deal is actually for two more years, plus an option for 2010.

He said: “We have announced the driver pairing only for next year, regardless of the content of the contracts. That will always be the case.” (GMM)

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Team principal Mario Theissen has played down suggestions that BMW
- will buy Sauber in 2005
- will sack Villeneuve in 2006

 

[PanterroR]

Let's just say i'm happy not to see that jerk behind BMW wheel.

Period!

 

[Remy Zero]

Let's just say i'm happy not to see that jerk behind BMW wheel.

Period!

+1

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Alonso would have been perfect for BMW to take both championships in 2008.

He and Heidfeld would have developed the 2008 superbly beyond the reach of competition.

 

[ateekt]

Let's just say i'm happy not to see that jerk behind BMW wheel.

Period!

I second you buddy ...!

 

[rev]

He and Heidfeld would have developed the 2008 superbly beyond the reach of competition.

I doubt that. You see, Alonso is a person that want tolerate the fact that his teammate might be better than him, especially if he starts proving that on every single race, like with Hamilton. Alonso would feel really good if his teammate was someone who would have no clue of driving properly a F1 car and wouldn't block him from being the best F1 driver in the world.

 

[Centurion]

Deep down inside alonso want to go back to Renault.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

I doubt that. You see, Alonso is a person that want tolerate the fact that his teammate might be better than him, especially if he starts proving that on every single race, like with Hamilton. Alonso would feel really good if his teammate was someone who would have no clue of driving properly a F1 car and wouldn't block him from being the best F1 driver in the world.

When did Hamilton proved he was better at every race ?!
When he was pulled onto the track at Nurburgring by a crane, or when he was 35+ sec. behind at Silverstone ?!

I still say that BMW would have been perfect for the win of both WCs in 2008 with such a due.

 

[PanterroR]

Deep down inside alonso want to go back to Renault.

Priceless!

Karma for you...

 

[rev]

When did Hamilton proved he was better at every race ?!
When he was pulled onto the track at Nurburgring by a crane, or when he was 35+ sec. behind at Silverstone ?!

He may have not proven himself of being better than Alonso, but he definitely showed that he is pretty skilful and talented and that he can be a real pain in Alonso's a$$. Yes, the crane incident at Nurburgring was unacceptable. As for Silverstone, I guess he wasn't that lucky. Peace!

 

[PanterroR]

I still say that BMW would have been perfect for the win of both WCs in 2008 with such a due.

Wrong.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

>



^ I'm a Kubica fan myself ... but he's still to young to properly master the technical and setup side of F1. And when he'll get he'll deserve to be a contender.

 

[PanterroR]

>



^ I'm a Kubica fan myself ... but he's still to young to properly master the technical and setup side of F1. And when he'll get he'll deserve to be a contender.

His potential cannot be disputed, there's a lot in that guy... He's young, i agree, but he's good, no doubt.

 

[450SEL6.9]

>

^ I'm a Kubica fan myself ... but he's still to young to properly master the technical and setup side of F1. And when he'll get he'll deserve to be a contender.

There was a time when young guys have no hope getting competitive rides in F1 because they simply haven't had enough experience to be a complete driver. From what I am reading, perhaps that is still partly true today. However, why do young guys get top-tier rides in F1 nowadays? Kubica, Heikki (well, Renault are reigning WC), Hamilton, Piquet Jr. (soon) all started pretty damn high up.

I think some of these guys make it too easy to get into F1 with a upper tier team. I'd rather these young guys spend a few years test driving, another few years with a back marker and learn how to be a complete driver before they get a ride with one of the bigger teams. For me, I still want to see drivers earn their way up into the top flight on F1. All of my least favorite drivers started at the top.

Sure, some of these young guys are good, but are they really good enough in all aspects to start so close to the upper tier of Formula One?

 

[PanterroR]

Good point, but young drivers are not to blame because someone recognized their talent and skills and gave them opportunity to race in F1, right? That's why they don't deserve bashing, especially when they're doing their homework for A+ (think Hamilton).

 

[Centurion]

Life is short, seize the day. Why join a top team at the age 26 if you're skilled enough to do it when you're a little over 20 years old?

 

[PanterroR]

Life is short, seize the day. Why join a top team at the age 26 if you're skilled enough to do it when you're a little over 20 years old?

Word!

 

[Imhotep Evil]

There was a time when young guys have no hope getting competitive rides in F1 because they simply haven't had enough experience to be a complete driver. From what I am reading, perhaps that is still partly true today. However, why do young guys get top-tier rides in F1 nowadays? Kubica, Heikki (well, Renault are reigning WC), Hamilton, Piquet Jr. (soon) all started pretty damn high up.

I think some of these guys make it too easy to get into F1 with a upper tier team. I'd rather these young guys spend a few years test driving, another few years with a back marker and learn how to be a complete driver before they get a ride with one of the bigger teams. For me, I still want to see drivers earn their way up into the top flight on F1. All of my least favorite drivers started at the top.

Sure, some of these young guys are good, but are they really good enough in all aspects to start so close to the upper tier of Formula One?

That's the problem I'm reading too.
People say it's become to easy (at least for some), and that the driver's role in the technical side has been reduced or eliminated.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Life is short, seize the day. Why join a top team at the age 26 if you're skilled enough to do it when you're a little over 20 years old?

Age isn't the issue here. As both Schumacher and Alonso joined F1 at 19 (while Hamilton at 22).

The issue here is to become truly complete and thus worthy as the great multiple WDCs.

And this is not a competition where skill will make a champion, it's a competition where skill is just a necessary fraction of the equation.

You needed also need (as a truly great) persevirence, pacience, commitment, a technical side, setup knowledge and thoroughness, lots of hard-work and also luck and "size.

The moment people start putting Hamilton next Schumacher, Senna, Prost is the moment they're B*-ing the @$* off.
For those people worked very hard and endured a lot for their achievements.