The Official Fernando Alonso thread

RunningMan · Post by **RunningMan** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 6:52 am

He writes about the version of events as if he was there first hand. Which I doubt he was. Then he fails to cite one source or quote in his article.
He could have made the whole thing up in his head yet he titles it "The Real Story" and hasn't gotten any evidence to back up what he says.

Journalism like this is just shocking really.

Lotus38 · Post by **Lotus38** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 8:43 am

RunningMan wrote:He writes about the version of events as if he was there first hand. Which I doubt he was. Then he fails to cite one source or quote in his article.
He could have made the whole thing up in his head yet he titles it "The Real Story" and hasn't gotten any evidence to back up what he says.

Journalism like this is just shocking really.

Yep, another of many such articles. But what do you think will get more coverage and/or hits?:

"The Real Story"
"My Version of Events"

Enough said...

kha7577 · Post by **kha7577** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 11:03 am

mas wrote:Mattiacci and Alonso – the real story (apparently )

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/f1/ferrari-in-2014/

That’s where things stood as Alonso and Mattiacci had their showdown meeting. Fernando suggested he would be prepared to continue on his current contract that ran until the end of ’16 – but with a few amendments: 1) Exit clauses that gave him certain windows – like Vettel’s Red Bull contract – to leave at the end of each season if he was below third in the championship at the cut-off date. 2) A veto over the choice of the other driver. 3) An option to choose technical staff. Mattiacci – a man used to having control over his employees, not forming partnerships with them or being dictated to by them – did not find any of these demands acceptable.

Understandable really since Kimi has been useless so might as well get somebody whose actually good and can contribute to the WCC!

bourbon19 · Post by **bourbon19** » Sat Dec 06, 2014 9:13 pm

mas wrote:Mattiacci and Alonso – the real story (apparently )

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/f1/ferrari-in-2014/

That’s where things stood as Alonso and Mattiacci had their showdown meeting. Fernando suggested he would be prepared to continue on his current contract that ran until the end of ’16 – but with a few amendments: 1) Exit clauses that gave him certain windows – like Vettel’s Red Bull contract – to leave at the end of each season if he was below third in the championship at the cut-off date. 2) A veto over the choice of the other driver. 3) An option to choose technical staff. Mattiacci – a man used to having control over his employees, not forming partnerships with them or being dictated to by them – did not find any of these demands acceptable.

That is a pretty wild story if true. I can see Mattiacci and Alonso having a heavy debate over the demands and terms of his contract, but it is hard to believe that Fabio would convince Alonso to play hardball and sign the memorandum of understanding regarding the release rather than negotiate - if the intent was to keep the Ferrari drive option open. Even if Ferrari didn't have Vettel in the wings, that would be a dangerous play because they were dealing with a new man in Mattiacci. Anyway, how much truth the article contained is questionable, but it was entertaining.

PrancingRocket_ · Post by **PrancingRocket_** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 11:01 am

Fernando Alonso wrote:“I have never hidden my deep admiration for Ayrton Senna, my favourite driver, my idol on track, my reference.

“I still remember, as a kid, the posters in my wardrobe, my toy cars in which I dreamed I would one day emulate Ayrton, and the kart that my father built for my older sister, and that I ended up falling in love with. That kart had the livery of one of the most legendary partnerships in the history of Formula 1, McLaren-Honda, the car that Ayrton drove, the same partnership to which I am now honoured to join, to take part in the next Formula 1 world championship.

“I am joining this project with enormous enthusiasm and determination, knowing that it may require some time to achieve the results we are aiming for, which is no problem for me.

“Over the past year I have received several offers, some of them really tempting, given the current performance of some of the teams that showed interest. But, more than a year ago, McLaren-Honda contacted me and asked me to take part, in a very active way, in the return of their partnership – a partnership that dominated the Formula 1 scene for so long.

“McLaren-Honda’s repeated and open desire, perseverance and determination in making it possible for me to join their exciting renewed partnership, have been some of the main factors that made me take this decision, not forgetting the most important factor of all: we share a common objective and expectations, and there is a very solid future, with confidence, ahead.

“I have had in-depth discussions with all the senior people at both McLaren and Honda, I have viewed their fantastic facilities in both the UK and Japan, and it is clear to me that, together, McLaren and Honda are in the process of beginning what is sure to be a long and successful partnership. And I intend to give 100% effort to help make it exactly that.

“Finally, I want to thank the persistence of those who have fought so hard for this to come true. I will do everything in my power to deliver for everyone and for our team, based on a formula that has always worked for me: effort, sacrifice, perseverance and faith.

“We have time, we have hopes and we have the necessary resources. Let the legend return: that is our challenge.”

Must say, i am quite excited about this next chapter! I think the myths about Alonso always needing a number 2 driver (and of Alonso being too scared to have Button in the next car) can also be dispelled after this signing. First he went up against Kimi, now Button

mcdo · Post by **mcdo** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 11:21 am

That photo.

I would have bet a year's wages that I would never see that photo while Alonso was still an F1 driver. This is going to take a bit of readjusting.

PrancingRocket_ · Post by **PrancingRocket_** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 11:25 am

mcdo wrote:That photo.

I would have bet a year's wages that I would never see that photo while Alonso was still an F1 driver. This is going to take a bit of readjusting.

Try re-adjusting to this...

^ Never thought i'd see that

PrancingRocket_ · Post by **PrancingRocket_** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 11:33 am

mcdo · Post by **mcdo** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 1:03 pm

PrancingRocket_ wrote:
mcdo wrote:That photo.

I would have bet a year's wages that I would never see that photo while Alonso was still an F1 driver. This is going to take a bit of readjusting.
Try re-adjusting to this...

^ Never thought i'd see that

Sweet Jesus

FrusEldar · Post by **FrusEldar** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 1:10 pm

^^^

Strange bedfellows.

Where reality is stranger than fiction and where one should never say never.

And for whatever reason the smiles appear to be genuine.

Kudos to the photographer for pulling this off.

Now if the new car would be as fast as the 2007 McLaren maybe some wrongs can be finally made right...

PrancingRocket_ · Post by **PrancingRocket_** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 2:27 am

Alonso is #1 in autosport's top 20 all time drivers

mas · Post by **mas** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 10:54 pm

The good, the bad and the ugly: Fernando Alonso's season at McLaren in 2007

Recalling the Spaniard's previous stint at McLaren in 2007 - and explaining why it all went wrong for both parties...

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/22058 ... en-in-2007

swillis · Post by **swillis** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 12:14 pm

All I have to say is, is anyone else really bloody stoked they don't have to be a Ferrari fan anymore?

Tiffosi used to give me the evil eye when I said I was a fan but made it apparent I was a Nando fan first and foremost.

VDV23 · Post by **VDV23** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 12:16 pm

Nope, Ferrari comes first.

I already miss Fernando a lot, though

I'm willing to swap Kimi+Vettel for him, hopefully RD works his "magic" and by mid-2015 Fernando would be wearing red again

A2jdl · Post by **A2jdl** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 12:24 pm

swillis wrote:All I have to say is, is anyone else really bloody stoked they don't have to be a Ferrari fan anymore?

Tiffosi used to give me the evil eye when I said I was a fan but made it apparent I was a Nando fan first and foremost.

Just got to decide if i burn the shirt or try and sell it now

jrwb6e · Post by **jrwb6e** » Fri Dec 26, 2014 4:30 pm

A2jdl wrote:
swillis wrote:All I have to say is, is anyone else really bloody stoked they don't have to be a Ferrari fan anymore?

Tiffosi used to give me the evil eye when I said I was a fan but made it apparent I was a Nando fan first and foremost.

Just got to decide if i burn the shirt or try and sell it now

But what if, in three years, Nando says he has unfinished business?

Fiki · Post by **Fiki** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 8:48 pm

Slightly off-topic, but it might amuse Alonso fans to see this video, more specifically 3:04. Enjoy! (Also the rest of the film, it's worth it.)

www.youtube.com/embed/gI4jWYZLeHQ

nixxxon · Post by **nixxxon** » Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:20 pm

Fiki wrote:Slightly off-topic, but it might amuse Alonso fans to see this video, more specifically 3:04. Enjoy! (Also the rest of the film, it's worth it.)

And the video is...?

Fiki · Post by **Fiki** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:38 am

nixxxon wrote:
Fiki wrote:Slightly off-topic, but it might amuse Alonso fans to see this video, more specifically 3:04. Enjoy! (Also the rest of the film, it's worth it.)
And the video is...?

... there now.

Bacus · Post by **Bacus** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:14 am

translated in english:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2d07g ... art-2-2_tv

mcdo · Post by **mcdo** » Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:28 am

swillis wrote:All I have to say is, is anyone else really bloody stoked they don't have to be a Ferrari fan anymore?

Tiffosi used to give me the evil eye when I said I was a fan but made it apparent I was a Nando fan first and foremost.

Yeah I bought a red shirt because of Fernando. I'm dusting off my 2007 McLaren shirt now but I'm finding this transition worse to be honest

RunningMan · Post by **RunningMan** » Thu Jan 29, 2015 3:33 pm

mcdo wrote:
swillis wrote:All I have to say is, is anyone else really bloody stoked they don't have to be a Ferrari fan anymore?

Tiffosi used to give me the evil eye when I said I was a fan but made it apparent I was a Nando fan first and foremost.
Yeah I bought a red shirt because of Fernando. I'm dusting off my 2007 McLaren shirt now but I'm finding this transition worse to be honest

Going from anything to red is alot harder than going from red to anything

If that made any sense.

mcdo · Post by **mcdo** » Thu Jan 29, 2015 4:24 pm

RunningMan wrote:
mcdo wrote:
swillis wrote:All I have to say is, is anyone else really bloody stoked they don't have to be a Ferrari fan anymore?

Tiffosi used to give me the evil eye when I said I was a fan but made it apparent I was a Nando fan first and foremost.
Yeah I bought a red shirt because of Fernando. I'm dusting off my 2007 McLaren shirt now but I'm finding this transition worse to be honest
Going from anything to red is alot harder than going from red to anything

If that made any sense.

I would have agreed once upon a time but, ya know, it's McLaren. I've wished them nothing but ill will for years (saying that, I oddly always liked to see JB doing well)

Zoue · Post by **Zoue** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:56 pm

12:53
Meanwhile, down at McLaren, Fernando Alonso has just had his lunch in the McLaren motorhome. To his absolute credit, he was then more than happy to pose for the many fans who had been camped outside for pictures. Trust us, it took him quite a while to get through all of them...

Source: Sky Sports

mas · Post by **mas** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:11 am

Team status disputes between Alonso and Hamilton had been part of the 2007 discord, but Dennis said Alonso had made no stipulations regarding his 2015 McLaren team-mate Jenson Button.

"I can promise you one thing with Fernando - he never even asked [for number one status]. In fact the opposite. Total opposite," he said.

"He said 'equality, I accept equality'. He has never asked for a single thing to be inserted in the contract."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117630

chican · Post by **chican** » Mon May 11, 2015 6:01 am

How's that this thread is so hard to find? Nice race, terrible reliability.

F1Tyrant · Post by **F1Tyrant** » Mon May 11, 2015 6:55 am

Alonso should seriously consider retirement. Everything he's touched since 2006 has left him bitterly disappointed. That said, I don't want to see Fernando go out like his career started, struggling and failing to get into the points...

mcdo · Post by **mcdo** » Mon May 11, 2015 7:09 am

F1Tyrant wrote:Alonso should seriously consider retirement. Everything he's touched since 2006 has left him bitterly disappointed. That said, I don't want to see Fernando go out like his career started, struggling and failing to get into the points...

That's a bizarre opinion

F1Tyrant · Post by **F1Tyrant** » Mon May 11, 2015 7:14 am

mcdo wrote:That's a bizarre opinion

Do you see McLaren-Honda delivering Alonso the title? I was hopeful but even a 2017 title bid looks too soon for McLaren. Alonso is in F1 for wins and titles so if those are not available, why prolong his career driving an unreliable piece of crap.

Exediron · Post by **Exediron** » Mon May 11, 2015 7:24 am

F1Tyrant wrote:Do you see McLaren-Honda delivering Alonso the title? I was hopeful but even a 2017 title bid looks too soon for McLaren. Alonso is in F1 for wins and titles so if those are not available, why prolong his career driving an unreliable piece of crap.

There's no reason to assume the car will still be as bad even next year, let alone 2017. Even if the chassis or the engine have fundamental problems that can't be fixed this year, a new year always carries the possibility of a dramatically improved package. Look at all the people who said Ferrari would still be hopeless this year. I'll be bitterly disappointed if Alonso has to retire without at least fighting for another title with McLaren, but it's way too early to write off the possibility.

mcdo · Post by **mcdo** » Mon May 11, 2015 7:30 am

F1Tyrant wrote:
mcdo wrote:That's a bizarre opinion
Do you see McLaren-Honda delivering Alonso the title? I was hopeful but even a 2017 title bid looks too soon for McLaren. Alonso is in F1 for wins and titles so if those are not available, why prolong his career driving an unreliable piece of crap.

And what, go to NASCAR? Or start a rally team and drive into trees for a while?

Maybe he's still pretty happy getting paid millions of dollars to drive in the top category of open wheel racing

mas · Post by **mas** » Mon May 11, 2015 7:46 am

chican wrote:How's that this thread is so hard to find? Nice race, terrible reliability.

Official threads index

http://forum.planet-f1.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1776

mas · Post by **mas** » Mon May 11, 2015 7:48 am

F1Tyrant wrote:Alonso should seriously consider retirement. Everything he's touched since 2006 has left him bitterly disappointed. That said, I don't want to see Fernando go out like his career started, struggling and failing to get into the points...

at over £1m a race I think he will grin and bear it

nixxxon · Post by **nixxxon** » Mon May 11, 2015 9:11 pm

A helmet visor protection plastic, the cause of his brakes failure...

mas · Post by **mas** » Tue May 12, 2015 11:29 am

Alonso still trying to convince himself it was a good move ...

Fernando Alonso says 'nothing has changed' at Ferrari since he left

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/24184 ... ce-he-left

“l am very fully motivated. If we can be competitive soon it will taste sweet because we have started from zero and I think we will get points in Monaco,” he predicted. “From now on we will be on the limit for tenth places for the next two or three races. Hopefully after Canada and Austria we will be more secure – seventh l hope. That is the target. "In the final part of the championship, even if l am optimistic, hopefully we will be close to the podium.” According to Alonso, McLaren’s race simulations predicted he was on course to finish ninth in Sunday’s race at the Circuit de Catalunya before a freak occurrences resulted in his brakes spectacularly overheating

nixxxon · Post by **nixxxon** » Tue May 12, 2015 11:45 am

mas wrote:Alonso still trying to convince himself it was a good move ...

Fernando Alonso says 'nothing has changed' at Ferrari since he left

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/24184 ... ce-he-left

“l am very fully motivated. If we can be competitive soon it will taste sweet because we have started from zero and I think we will get points in Monaco,” he predicted. “From now on we will be on the limit for tenth places for the next two or three races. Hopefully after Canada and Austria we will be more secure – seventh l hope. That is the target. "In the final part of the championship, even if l am optimistic, hopefully we will be close to the podium.” According to Alonso, McLaren’s race simulations predicted he was on course to finish ninth in Sunday’s race at the Circuit de Catalunya before a freak occurrences resulted in his brakes spectacularly overheating

He's right.
Just look at Ferrari, first useless improvement bits of the season came in Barcelona. Ferrari many times produces car updates that dont work and thats one of the reasons why he left. They struggle to develop in-season.
And they will always finish second behind mercedes... so he doesnt care really if he finishes 3rd or 5th or 8th as long as he doesnt win.

chican · Post by **chican** » Tue May 12, 2015 3:05 pm

nixxxon wrote:
mas wrote:Alonso still trying to convince himself it was a good move ...

Fernando Alonso says 'nothing has changed' at Ferrari since he left

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/24184 ... ce-he-left

“l am very fully motivated. If we can be competitive soon it will taste sweet because we have started from zero and I think we will get points in Monaco,” he predicted. “From now on we will be on the limit for tenth places for the next two or three races. Hopefully after Canada and Austria we will be more secure – seventh l hope. That is the target. "In the final part of the championship, even if l am optimistic, hopefully we will be close to the podium.” According to Alonso, McLaren’s race simulations predicted he was on course to finish ninth in Sunday’s race at the Circuit de Catalunya before a freak occurrences resulted in his brakes spectacularly overheating
He's right.
Just look at Ferrari, first useless improvement bits of the season came in Barcelona. Ferrari many times produces car updates that dont work and thats one of the reasons why he left. They struggle to develop in-season.
And they will always finish second behind mercedes... so he doesnt care really if he finishes 3rd or 5th or 8th as long as he doesnt win.

Yep, Ferrari may be better than last year but, it isn't any different from 2010, 2012 or 2013. I hope McLaren ends up sorting things out sonner than later.

theodore · Post by **theodore** » Wed May 13, 2015 1:04 am

chican wrote:Yep, Ferrari may be better than last year but, it isn't any different from 2010, 2012 or 2013. I hope McLaren ends up sorting things out sonner than later.

Correct! Ferrari were almost level (and even ahead) in all three of those years!

And I believe this is the largest gap we've seen between the leader/2nd place since Vettel's dominant 2011 campaign.

madchild · Post by **madchild** » Fri May 15, 2015 5:29 pm

First I want to say that I am a fan of Fernando, but his enthusiasm for Honda will wane if they continue to struggle. He may not regret leaving Ferrari right now, but if McLaren's struggles continue into next season, I believe his regrets will turn elsewhere.

If you were to ask any driver, "where would you prefer to race, for potential race wins, or to bring up the rear?" I doubt any would say the latter...

Unfortunately as an Alonso fan, I doubt we'll see him up front anytime soon, if ever.

F1Tyrant · Post by **F1Tyrant** » Sun May 17, 2015 11:45 am

madchild wrote:First I want to say that I am a fan of Fernando, but his enthusiasm for Honda will wane if they continue to struggle. He may not regret leaving Ferrari right now, but if McLaren's struggles continue into next season, I believe his regrets will turn elsewhere.

Why would he regret leaving? I don't think even Fernando has the ability to drag that Ferrari to race wins (aside from in Malaysia) given how excellent the Mercedes are.

Until he has a car that will let him compete with Hamilton, he won't mind.

Hamilton's success make Alonso look brilliant considering how he outdrove Hamilton and Vettel in inferior machinery 2010-2013. I have no doubt in my mind he would be a 7-time world champion if he had moved to Red Bull in 2008 or 2009.