F1 F1 Silly Season! (Driver signing rumors)

[Imhotep Evil]

Another day, another rumor:

Data sharing at McLaren Mercedes

German publication Sport Bild claims that McLaren Mercedes granted the Fernando Alonso some protection of his car's setup from Lewis Hamilton in Turkey and for the rest of the season.

Sport Bild claimed that Hamilton's side of the garage was no longer able to simply emulate his team-mate's settings and contends that it could have led to the mistreatment - and subsequent failure - of his right-front Potenza in the race.

McLaren denied the claim this morning, telling F1-Live.com that the report 'is not correct' and that "we have complete transparency within the team.
Cliquez ici...
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Alonso reportedly set up his car to go particularly easy on the right-front Bridgestone in Turkey, where there is an unusual abundance of left hand bends - including the severely punishing turn-eight.

E.A.
Source GMM/ F1-live.com

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Bridgestone: `Chunking caused Lewis` failure`
Wednesday 29th August 2007

F1 tyre supplier Bridgestone claims that Lewis Hamilton's tyre failure was caused by 'chunking'.

The Japanese tyre manufacturer are still analysing the exact circumstances around the failure.

Initial tests confirmed that the problem was not caused by debris, and Bridgestone's director of motorsport tyre development Hirohide Hamashima, claims that a phenomenon called 'chunking' led to the failure.

Most fans are familiar with 'marbles' which are small pieces of rubber which tyres shed throughout the race.

Chunks are formed when these marbles collect and form bigger pieces. The experts explain that 'chunking' can cause damage to the structure of the tyre when it hardens.

There is a possibility that Hamilton hit a kerb with force as he was the only driver to suffer from a tyre failure despite the fact that 'chunking' is a relatively normal phenomenon.

Hamashima diagnosed 'chunking' as the cause, although he explained that Bridgestone were still investigating other forces which may have come into play.

"It was delamination caused by excessive 'chunking'," Hamashima told Autosport. "The 'chunking' got hardened as he braked for Turn Nine. It seems that there was an (unexplained) extra force applied to where the chunk was, and this delaminated the tyre."

planet-f1

 

[Imhotep Evil]

>



^ So now what led to this ?!

Driver error or poor setup ?!

 

[Imhotep Evil]

>



^ LOL I found this on some forum:


McLaren MP4-23



Data Sharing

 

[LaArtist]

HAHAH OMG that pic with his dad is just to much.. LMAO

 

[450SEL6.9]

What are your feelings about Hamy's daddy? There was a story that daddy went around the Hungaroring pitlane asking whether or not a driver can bring sanctions against his own team and teammate. I suppose that is why the creator of that graphic checked off "Request sanction to FIA" under Alonso's column.

I just find all sports dads/moms to be very phony, opportunistic and incredibly eager to tell the world about their sacrifice to get their kid into their sport. Hockey and golf dads are some of the worst!

 

[Imhotep Evil]

>



^ True these dads, but they're actually better than the Hollywood Mom of the 30s/40s.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Ralf: `Alonso`s the key to the 2008 driver-market`
Friday 7th September 2007


Fernando Alonso's uncertain future at McLaren is holding up the 2008 driver-market, according to Ralf Schumacher.


For the past few months, Alonso's place with McLaren has been the topic of much debate as the Spaniard's relationship with the team becomes ever more untenable.


The latest blow to the relationship came to light earlier today when it was reported that the double World Champion could be the FIA's key witness against McLaren in the Stepneygate spy scandal.


And until Alonso's future is resolved, Ralf believes some of the teams will hold off on confirming their drivers for 2008 in the hope of signing the Spaniard should he opt to leave McLaren.


"Certainly, the situation at McLaren doesn't help," the Toyota driver told Autosport.


"A driver who wants to leave, officially I don't know how that's changed, but it doesn't help because for some teams, it is worthwhile waiting for Fernando. That's clear.


"And therefore, the last few spots that are available are not moving at the speed that you would usually expect. But let's wait and see - I'm sure it's going to be quite quick now; in the next few weeks. We'll see."

Ralf: 'Alonso's the key to the 2008 driver-market' - Planet-F1 News - from planet-f1.com

 

[Imhotep Evil]

2 stories on Alonso



Fernando Alonso speculation

Set to replace Massa at Ferrari? 24/09/07 09:36


F1-Live.com

Alonso would be unlikely to get number one
status alongside Kimi Raikkonen
Speculation is rife that Fernando Alonso could be about to drop a bomb on the Formula One silly-season.

Felipe Massa was spotted by paddock observers meeting with Toyota officials at Spa Francorchamps, sparking rumours that he might need to vacate his Ferrari seat for 2008.

The tale ties in with fresh speculation that Jean Todt - whose son Nicolas manages Massa - is increasingly under pressure to keep his top job at Ferrari, and also Toyota's reluctance so far to confirm a team-mate for Jarno Trulli in 2008.

It has long been suggested that Alonso's most likely destination, if he leaves McLaren after a single unhappy season, is his former camp at Renault.


But the Ferrari gossip, raising the prospect of the Spaniard's pairing with Kimi Raikkonen next year, is now gathering strength, including in the pages of the British newspaper The Daily Mail.

"One stumbling block exists, however," the report read. "Would Ferrari be willing to buy out the remainder of Alonso's contract with McLaren, believed to be worth at least (US) $20 million?"

Source GMM
CAPSIS International





Briatore urges Alonso back to Renault
Renault boss in no hurry to confirm line-up 24/09/07 15:04



F1-Live.com

Alonso seems to have options for the '08 season
Flavio Briatore has urged Fernando Alonso and McLaren to part company ahead of the 2008 season.

Amid intense speculation that Renault and Ferrari may now be in a bidding war to secure the services of the disgruntled Spaniard in 2008, Briatore recalled his team's successful collaboration with Alonso between 2002 and last year that netted back to back drivers' titles.

Asked about the 26-year-old's seemingly untenable relationship with McLaren boss Ron Dennis at present, Italian Briatore told Sport Auto: "That is healthy neither for the team nor the driver.

"We have our own way of dealing with drivers. With us, Fernando simply got along well. Perhaps that is what is missing with him at McLaren."

Renault's 2008 driver line-up announcement is now long overdue, and Briatore said he is still not ready to give anything away.

"We are a little bit late," he admitted, "but I am not in a hurry either.

"At the moment we are still considering what the best driver formation for us will look like.

"

Briatore is keen, however, to put the disappointment of this year behind Renault and return to the competitiveness of the Alonso era.

"The team is exactly the same," he said, "and they have not forgotten how to build a winning car. We know now what is wrong with the (2007) car. We know the tyres better. I have a good feeling."

He said Renault's full concentration has been on the 2008 single seater for some time now.

"For the last two months we have changed practically nothing on the current car because I want a guarantee that in 2008 we are back at the front.

"There will not be any excuses then," Briatore said.

Source GMM
CAPSIS International

 

[siko]

BREAKING - Alonso to Ferrari for $40 MIL

We're going to call this one a rumor for at least a little while, but wow. We just got wind of this monster deal that would really cause a major stir in the already tumultuous world of Formula One. News of the World just reported that two-time world driving champion Fernando Alonso is leaving McLaren-Mercedes next year. While that was considered a sure thing in the wake of Stepneygate and all, the real shocker is that he isn't headed to Renault to be reunited with Flavio Briatore as expected. Instead, they have him going to Ferrari of all places. The report says that a cool $40 million was the price to secure Alonso for the scuderia. As they point out, it should be a relatively easy transition for Fernando, who has already been *ahem* studying design features of the Ferrari all season.

With current Ferrari pilot Felipe Massa headed to Toyota, Fernando will be joining current #3 in the driver's race, Kimi Raikkonen, in '08. It should make for another interesting battle over who's number one. The same article that tells of Fernando going to Maranello also bolsters the rumor that Ross Brawn will be stepping up as team manager when Jean Todt leaves at the end of the season. It's not often that the silly season starts this early, but this has been a very atypical year for the FIA and its premier racing class. We'll do some digging and see if we can find other sources to back this one up. But until then, this can only make the last three races of the season more compelling TV.

[Source: Autoblog.com]

 

[Remy Zero]

Interesting...

why would Fred go to Ferrari only to be paired with Kimi? Kimi is a faster driver than Alonso, he knows that.

also, Fred would want to go to a team where he'll get the No1 status. he's not gonna achieve that at Ferrari. Renault is the best call here, should he leave Mclaren.

i have a strong feeling, nothing's gonne change at the top, maybe, just a small chance of Fred leaving Mac and heading to Renault.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

I disagree that Raikkonen is a faster driver, but I do agree such a pair would not be a good idea.
The Prost - Mansell experience has shown that.

 

[Centurion]

Alonso has had enough problem with in house competition at Mclaren. There is no way he would want to go through the same trouble at Ferrari.

I think it's all bull.

 

[450SEL6.9]

Alonso has had enough problem with in house competition at Mclaren. There is no way he would want to go through the same trouble at Ferrari.

I think he feels that anything would be better than his current situation at TOUI. Also, Kimi is not the Ferrari bosses' "baby" and pet development project. Even if he is pushed to the limit by Kimi, I doubt he will find the situation as untenable.

I also don't think Kimi is faster than Alonso. I think that's just BS that his management team sold to the F1 paddock. As soon as Kimi got into F1, there were stories about him looking like the next Senna. Perhaps his hype has something to do with him earning one of the most bloated salaries in F1 history, in my opinion. If I am a F1 team boss, I would not pay Kimi a rumored $35-50 million at gunpoint.

 

[450SEL6.9]

BREAKING - Alonso to Ferrari for $40 MIL

Is this price including the cost to buyout his TOUI deal? After the events at the Paris hearing, does Alonso need to be bought out or can he activate clauses that let him leave for free?

If $40 million is his salary, he snags a $20 million raise because most reports have his current TOUI pay at only $20 million. Given his performances this year on and off track, I wouldn't give him any raise at all.

 

[Zonda]

Alonso is never going to Ferrari, he hates that team. Also, I doubt Ferrari would replace either of their drivers. Both have been driving the F2007 to its full potential.
Massa to Toyota? Nah, wouldn't think so.
I still actually belive that Alonso is staying at McLaren. I might get to eat that statement but it's what I think atm.

 

[Remy Zero]

I disagree that Raikkonen is a faster driver, but I do agree such a pair would not be a good idea.
The Prost - Mansell experience has shown that.

well, almost every F1 journalist thinks that Kimi is the fastest out there, even during the Schumacher era.


the difference between Kimi, Schumi and Fred is, Kimi just need a perfect car to drive the wheels outta it.

Schumi and Fred OTOH, understands the car, and can drive the car is almost any condition. thats why i think Fred is the best and the most complete driver out there at the moment, not the fastest, but the most complete driver.

it's his whiny attitude i can't stands, and that why i won't want to see him in my beloved Scuderia.

 

[450SEL6.9]

well, almost every F1 journalist thinks that Kimi is the fastest out there, even during the Schumacher era.

But Kimi was put on a pedestal since the day he entered F1 and needed to get a controversial super license grant to race. I don't put much stock in what F1 journalists say, especially after some British donkey said Hamilton was better than both Senna and Prost after like ten-races in an allegedly ripped-off car.

I don't think Kimi has ever justified his praise. His ratio of wins to DNFs is still an eyesore. Heck, I don't think he is much faster than Massa, if at all.

 

[Monster]

If Ferrari does indeed sign Alonso, I will stop becoming a Ferrari supporter, that is how much I hate the guy. Alonso will not can get the number 1 status in the Ferrari team, cause Kimi will be there to show him who is quicker. Also, why can't Ferrari just keep Massa. He is a fast driver, and he has the ability to match and perform better than Kimi from time to time.

I just realised something, Alonso already knows how everything works with the F2007, so he will probably fit right into the car if the impossible happens.

 

[450SEL6.9]

Alonso will not can get the number 1 status in the Ferrari team, cause Kimi will be there to show him who is quicker. Also, why can't Ferrari just keep Massa. He is a fast driver, and he has the ability to match and perform better than Kimi from time to time.

I just realised something, Alonso already knows how everything works with the F2007, so he will probably fit right into the car if the impossible happens.

Agree with you on Massa. He is a steal at a $5-8 million salary. He does not trail Raikkonen by too many points, despite his mishaps this year.

I think Alonso would deserve No. 1 status. Arguably, he deserved it this year at TOUI. I'm not his biggest fan, but his contribution to the team's sponsorship kitty and car development should have prompted Mr. Integrity to make him No. 1. If Alonso already knows a lot, all the better. His skill can make the car better and hold it together in more races.

The quickest driver debate in any era is subjective. I don't think the quickest driver, if he is a lazy and useless tester and car developer, should instantly get No. 1 status.