F1 F1 Silly Season! (Driver signing rumors)

[PanterroR]

BMW Spain admits to Alonso talks



Working on a team switch for 2009

A spokesman for the Spanish arm of the German manufacturer BMW has admitted that Fernando Alonso is in talks to switch to the BMW Sauber F1 team in 2009.

Figures in the Monza paddock over the weekend were careful to play down or sidestep the raging speculation about the Spaniard's future.

But Gigi Corbetta, communication director for BMW Spain, told Spanish radio that talks are taking place.

"And the news of the renewal of Raikkonen (at Ferrari) has accelerated the process," Corbetta is quoted as saying by the Spanish newspaper Marca.

"Now it is necessary to wait until the end of the season."

27-year-old Alonso, meanwhile, confirmed that his future is not due to be clarified before the Singapore Grand Prix in two weeks.


Source: F1 : BMW Spain admits to Alonso talks - BMW - F1-Live.com

 

[SKY]

As I am spanish I think I can say a few things about the continuos roumors about Fernando and his future:

Actually, what Alonso wants is a car to win races as soon as posible, and he has pull out of his mind Toyota, and posibly Honda, so, the options of BMW and Renault are the ones that remain.

Between this two options, BMW offers him an excellent car for the next seasons, very good engine, an advanced KERS sistem... And his friend Kubica as team mate. Renault, on the contrary, offers him his natural home team, offering him their best and the aim of a better 2009 season than 2008 is being, having more money on the team, and a completly new supercomputer to create the new R29.

Alonso still saying that Renault is his first option, but that he wants a car to win races for the next years, and that is including 2009, of course, so he is going to wait until he has all the information about R29 and F1.09 and he can decide.

Regards.

 

[Bartek S.]

Alonso set to stay at Renault

Fernando Alonso is set to stay at Renault for the 2009 season after reports that the Spaniard has rejected an offer from BMW Sauber.

Speculation at Monza last weekend where Alonso finished fourth suggested the BMW team were in the driving seat to sign the Spaniard.
But Spanish sports daily As reported Alonso would be staying put with Renault as the BMW offer shut out any hopes he might entertain of a possible move to Ferrari in 2010 or 2011.
Alonso has struggled to make an impact this campaign, the 27-year-old trailing in seventh in the championship race dominated by Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa.
AFP

 

[Bartek S.]

Heidfeld delighted to stay at BMW

Nick Heidfeld was a delighted man after it was confirmed he will stay at the BMW Sauber team for at least another season.
The 31-year-old's contract was expiring at the end of this year and the team had delayed a decision on who would fill the second seat alongside Robert Kubica, with Fernando Alonso linked with a possible move there.
All speculation came to an end on Monday, however, when BMW confirmed an unchanged line-up for 2009.
Heidfeld will be competing in his fourth consecutive season with the Hinwil-based squad, and the German admitted he was delighted that BMW had decided to retain him.
"I'm very pleased about this announcement and about the confidence that the team have shown in me," said Heidfeld.
"I've always said that I was happy to stay with BMW Sauber because we've managed to achieve what we set out to do at this stage and I really hope that we will be battling it out for the title itself next year.
"There have been times this season when neither I nor the team could honestly say that we were satisfied with the way things were going, but we have always pulled together and come through."
Heidfeld is currently in fifth place in the standings, having scored 56 points so far.
AP

 

[siko]

As much I don't like Alonso, I think I'd rather see him @ BMW then Nick.

 

[Gullwing]

Still wish Fred had moved to another team for 09 and done crappy, then moved to another team in 10 to do crappy then to Nascar with JPM

 

[Centurion]

Still wish Fred had moved to another team for 09 and done crappy, then moved to another team in 10 to do crappy then to Nascar with JPM

He's still eyeing Ferrari which might be one big possibility if Kimi sucks next year as well, but there's going to be a three way fight for a Ferrari seat between Kubica, Alonso and Vettel.

 

[SKY]

He's still eyeing Ferrari which might be one big possibility if Kimi sucks next year as well, but there's going to be a three way fight for a Ferrari seat between Kubica, Alonso and Vettel.

I think that Vettel is going to be the chosen one.

 

[Centurion]

I think that Kubica is going to be the chosen one.

Don't be so sure. From Valencia and onwards Vettel has demonstrated that he's matured from the somewhat unpredictable rookie he was last year and during the first quarter of this years season. His potential of becoming a champion is major, especially with him consistently finishing 4th or 5th during the recent races. Alonso has also been very strong recently and right now Kubica is looking like the weakest one of the three. Vettel won a GP by fighting from start to finish keeping to together while Kubica was lucky in Hamilton and Kimi not finishing the race in Canada.

Vettel has challenged the top leaders in the way that Kubica has yet to do. If BMW has a good car next year then Kubica might have a ample chances of challenging Vettel and Alonso for a Ferrari seat.

 

[PanterroR]

I think that Kubica is going to be the chosen one.

I'll cures the day when and if Robert moves to Ferrari.

 

[Centurion]

I'll cures the day when and if Robert moves to Ferrari.

If he does then BMW might get Vettel, that must be good, right? The drivers market is going to be a basket of candy for the 2010 season with tons of superb drivers to choose from.

 

[PanterroR]

If he does then BMW might get Vettel, that must be good, right?

Good? Well, ok, but not as good as Kubica.

 

[SKY]

I am sorry guys, I was trying to say Vettel, but I am with other thing know and not completly focus on what I write.

Sorry again.

 

[Centurion]

I am sorry guys, I was trying to say Vettel, but I am with other thing know and not completly focus on what I write.

Sorry again.

No worries, good to know that we're on the same page at lest