2007 Japanese GP - Race 15/17

Bennah · 1 Oct 2007 at 19:46

Hamilton is getting loads of attention all over the world not just in the UK. There are a lot of sponsers out there that want to work with McLaren as they have Hamilton on thier books as he is the next big thing to come to Formula 1. All the talk really is about him.

Intresting story on BBC.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7022171.stm

Briatore standing up for Alonso and apparently offering him his old job back. I think Renault will go all out to get back Alonso back into the team and move forward. Try and bridge the gap to BMW atleast.

sunama · 1 Oct 2007 at 20:05

Bennah said:
Hamilton is getting loads of attention all over the world not just in the UK. There are a lot of sponsers out there that want to work with McLaren as they have Hamilton on thier books as he is the next big thing to come to Formula 1. All the talk really is about him.

Intresting story on BBC.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7022171.stm

Briatore standing up for Alonso and apparently offering him his old job back. I think Renault will go all out to get back Alonso back into the team and move forward. Try and bridge the gap to BMW atleast.

This is a massive development. Ron Dennis though, tends not to like losing his best drivers and might put up a fight. It really does depend on just how badly he believes in Alonso's ability.

Another thing is that if Alonso goes to Renault, McLaren might become the 3rd best team in 2008/2009, with Ferrari and Renault, taking the top 2 slots. These are all things that Dennis has to consider. It would be better to force Alonso to drive unhappily for McLaren next year than have Lewis race against Alonso (in a Renault). Make no doubt about it, Renault who are very weak without Alonso will become a force to be reckoned with in 2008.

Dennis has repeatedly stated that he is in the sport to win and not to be loved by his drivers. This will be the test.

Glaucus · 1 Oct 2007 at 20:11

sunama said:
Make no doubt about it, Renault who are very weak without Alonso will become a force to be reckoned with in 2008.

That totally depends on the car. It would certainly help them, but it would be a much bigger gain for the end of 2008 and the 2009 season. The cars are well on there way to being made. So Alonso at this late stage, couldn't change the car significantly.

sunama said:
Dennis has repeatedly stated that he is in the sport to win and not to be loved by his drivers. This will be the test.

I don't think so, it hasn't got much to do with what ron thinks. This will be a sponsor and team decision. Will Alonso be worth working with next season.

Bennah · 1 Oct 2007 at 20:12

Sure Renault would be back into the thick end of the Action, but McLaren would'nt fall behind with the loss of Alonso if he was to go. Ferrari and McLaren next year would be up there, theres no real doubt about that. Hamilton would lead the team as potential reigning champion. Then it would be BMW and Renault close behind I feel.

Hamilton wants Alonso out of the team, depends if he goes to Ron and has a word with him about getting Alonso out of the team.

sunama · 1 Oct 2007 at 20:28

AcidHell2 said:
That totally depends on the car. It would certainly help them, but it would be a much bigger gain for the end of 2008 and the 2009 season. The cars are well on there way to being made. So Alonso at this late stage, couldn't change the car significantly.

The car for next year is already half ready, however, when the new cars are unveiled (usually in January), there is usually an intensive testing program. This is done to allow the drivers to learn how the car behaves, but also allows the engineers to learn how to set the car up, as well as to assist in the overall development of the car. Its these crucial few months before the 2008 season starts where Alonso will really show his skill and influence the direction the car takes, going into the 2008 season. By the end of 2008, the 2008 shouldve be totally Alonsofied.

Last year Ferrari and Renault were No.1, while McLaren were 3rd. If Alonso moves, I predict that by the end of 2008, this will be the ranking. I think McLaren and in particular Hamilton, have all benefitted by having Alonso in the team. Have a read of the link below and what Kovalainen thinks:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7021500.stm

Slam62 · 1 Oct 2007 at 21:04

Ron and the board will either see competition or cash as a priority, if no Alonso who else?

If Alonso goes it will cost a lot I suspect.

I don't know if Flav can afford it.

I wouldn't put it past them all to kiss and make up at Mclaren, after all they all want to win. The risk for Alonso is that he gets blown off by Hamilton.

Bennah · 1 Oct 2007 at 21:27

I think that Briatore would find the money to pay off McLaren and sign up Renault again. I think that Alonso in the back of his mind, hes thinking if he goes back to Renault then he will be given no. 1 status.

Having said that, he has had a fantastic season for McLaren and I think he should stay.

With the recent comments of Hamilton if they are true with him saying that he wants Alonso to go to another team, I think Alonso will stay to make a statement to Hamilton to say hes not being forced out of the team and will challenge for the title next year, if he does'nt do it this year.

tonyyeb · 1 Oct 2007 at 21:35

I personally think these recent reports of both hamilton and alonso saying they dont want each other in the same team as the, have been a little blown out of context. It is more likely that they both said something along the lines of 'It would be easier to compete more agressively with x if they were in another team'. The press then take that and turn it into "Hamilton cannot be in same team as Alonso!" etc etc. Not everything in black and white is so black and white.

rpstewart · 1 Oct 2007 at 23:34

tonyyeb said:
Confusing to say the least! STR have confirmed Vettel and Bordais (sp?) haven't they?

Rosberg has said in numerous interviews that he is commited to Williams. Nakajima is only good for trashing racing cars for what i've seen in gp2 this year! It always entertaining when he gets up behind someone - not one for a clean pass lets say!

Why anyone is bothering to look at Nelson Piquet Jr is beyond me. Glok to Toyota or Renault I think.

You see this is why I don't do predictions, I had completely forgotten about the Bourdais deal.

Emlyn_Dewar · 2 Oct 2007 at 00:12

I really do hope Alonso gets the hell out of Mclaren, I can't support both the team and the driver now, it doesn't work.
At least if you had the two drivers in different teams some of the whining that goes on might calm down. I swear many "fans" hate to see any competition in F1.

Edit: Anyone else up for a "thank God Ralf is leaving" party? It's been long enough! Now all we need is to lose the deadweight that is Fisichella and we'll have a grid that isn't tainted by the smell of washed up failure.

knip · 2 Oct 2007 at 07:14

I aint driving to Scotland though!

Bennah · 2 Oct 2007 at 18:18

Emlyn_Dewar said:
I really do hope Alonso gets the hell out of Mclaren, I can't support both the team and the driver now, it doesn't work.
At least if you had the two drivers in different teams some of the whining that goes on might calm down. I swear many "fans" hate to see any competition in F1.

Edit: Anyone else up for a "thank God Ralf is leaving" party? It's been long enough! Now all we need is to lose the deadweight that is Fisichella and we'll have a grid that isn't tainted by the smell of washed up failure.

Ralf and Fisi have been very disapointing, I would'nt be suprised if Fisi was to leave Renault like Ralf left Toyota.

Any ideas where Ralf would go to? May retire?

Emlyn_Dewar · 2 Oct 2007 at 18:30

Bennah said:
Ralf and Fisi have been very disapointing, I would'nt be suprised if Fisi was to leave Renault like Ralf left Toyota.

Any ideas where Ralf would go to? May retire?

If there's any justice Fisi and Ralf will both fully be gone, never to be seen in an F1 race seat again.

Bennah · 2 Oct 2007 at 18:30

I doubt that justice exists in F1 though

Fire 1 · 2 Oct 2007 at 18:57

How about Alonso to Toyota and Ralf in a McLaren? Then we would see the difference a car makes.

sanaxe1 · 2 Oct 2007 at 19:02

Just skimmed through this thread and this seems to be the feelings :

Hamilton is good but people believe its because of the car.
People think Alonso is amazing and believes McLaren wouldn't be where they are if he stayed at Renault. ( due to McLaren doing better and Renault doing worse.)

Can someone please explain to me how those 2 statements can work together?

Dutch Guy · 2 Oct 2007 at 19:05

I went on a hoiliday and forgot to set the timer on the DVDR, that sucks :mad:

Does anyone know if it is possible to download a torrent or watch the race online?

Bennah · 2 Oct 2007 at 19:17

I dont think there is sorry. I hope there will be as it would be good to see the race again. Would also like to see the German race again as that was entertaining too.

Just had a read of this... http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=40910

Looks like the information regarding starting behind the safety car on full wets were delayed to Ferrari

Such a shame on the Ferrari drivers point of view as they could have had a very good chance of taking the race win, the championship could have been closer. The FIA should take some responsability in the mistake.

Now in the future they say that they will hand a writen and email notification of such information. Email is pretty much instant, would'nt handing out a writen notification take longer?

wonder_lander · 2 Oct 2007 at 20:16

Just got back from Japan, my body clock is 8 hours ahead some I'm pretty knackered.

Will squizz up some photos hopefully tomorrow but they are only from a compact camera so don't expect mega close ups or perfect shots!

Slam62 · 2 Oct 2007 at 20:22

Bennah said:
I

Just had a read of this... http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=40910

Looks like the information regarding starting behind the safety car on full wets wer take longer?

So you don't think that it would have been prudent for the Donkeys to ensure the race director had an e-mail address through which they could be contacted.

I don't think the article says that the FIA admitted responsibility.

Why are these Latins such bad losers? or perhaps we should become bad losers and then we might win more.