Alonso

[WolfBlitzer]

After watching today's race I remembered Luca's words after Schumacher was signed: "Now there are no excuses."

Alonso beat Michael in 2005 and 2006 on consistency alone. This year he has for the most part outpaced Felipe, something that Kimi never managed. There is no question that Fernando has the pace and intellect to be world champion - Ferrari just isn't giving him the equipment to do so.

Remember when Michael struggled in 2003/2005 and 2006 he made mistakes left and right just as Fernando does now. Every driver will struggle when fighting in the middle of the pack but with ambitions for the title.

Ferrari and Alonso must stick to their guns through this difficult period and build the performance up again, just don't expect it immediately. At least with Alonso at the wheel we know he'll deliver because he has done so before.

[Grillo]

Agree.

I remember the Queen's word: Annus Horribilis.

I anything can go wrong it will.

[onestone]

So who or what will Alonzo blame this time?

He's always got an excuse for his failures...I think that maybe he just wanted to finish early and have a Coke and a Magnum..

[Katu]

So who or what will Alonzo blame this time?

He's always got an excuse for his failures...I think that maybe he just wanted to finish early and have a Coke and a Magnum..

no, that was the finnish guy...

[Hermann]

So who or what will Alonzo blame this time?

He's always got an excuse for his failures...I think that maybe he just wanted to finish early and have a Coke and a Magnum..

Its 'Alonso', with an s, not a z.

Try to drive a car at 300 km/h with a steering wheel pointing to the left for 1 1/2 hours and then come back and tell us how it felt. Oh, and you can try the same with a broken clutch. I'm sure you will have fun.

[brava]

Alonso is a bit unlucky this season...I am sure he'll win many titles for Ferrari, he's meant to be. Also the great Schumi needed five years with Ferrari to start winning titles...I hope Alonso needs far less than that.

[Tifosi]

After watching today's race I remembered Luca's words after Schumacher was signed: "Now there are no excuses."

Alonso beat Michael in 2005 and 2006 on consistency alone. This year he has for the most part outpaced Felipe, something that Kimi never managed. There is no question that Fernando has the pace and intellect to be world champion - Ferrari just isn't giving him the equipment to do so.

Remember when Michael struggled in 2003/2005 and 2006 he made mistakes left and right just as Fernando does now. Every driver will struggle when fighting in the middle of the pack but with ambitions for the title.

Ferrari and Alonso must stick to their guns through this difficult period and build the performance up again, just don't expect it immediately. At least with Alonso at the wheel we know he'll deliver because he has done so before.

With respect, what is the point of another "poor Alonso" thread. Ferrari aren't giving him the car? Jeez! . "The car" made fourth yesterday with Massa (our "other" driver) so surely Fernando's car could have been 1st 2nd or 3rd given the fact that he outpaces Felipe all the time!!!!

Ferrari & Alonso need to do more than "stick to their guns" as you put it. They can't afford to throw any more points away like they did this week-end, and they also now need mixed fortune (at best) to hit several other drivers. That is the fact of the matter. There is NO time left! They either get it right now or they dont win.

It is a true test of the team to maximise what they have now!

"Ferrari just isn't giving him the equipment to do so" is a ridiculous excuse.

[bahes]

Its 'Alonso', with an s, not a z.

Try to drive a car at 300 km/h with a steering wheel pointing to the left for 1 1/2 hours and then come back and tell us how it felt. Oh, and you can try the same with a broken clutch. I'm sure you will have fun.

Where did you find out that?

[Hermann]

Where did you find out that?

Fernando said in his spanish press conference after the race. On the straights he had to steer a bit to the right to keep the car on the track.

[bahes]

Fernando said in his spanish press conference after the race. On the straights he had to steer a bit to the right to keep the car on the track.

Link please m8? thanks ;)

Found it! Thanks for info!

[Hermann]

Link please m8? thanks ;)

Sure, but i hope you speak spanish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYKcdQ-Fk1M

[Suzie]

They didn't mention Fernando's car suffering any damage in the Barrichello shunt in the post-race press release. I thought if there'd definitely been something wrong that caused Nando to spin, they would have said so

[Hermann]

They didn't mention Fernando's car suffering any damage in the Barrichello shunt in the post-race press release. I thought if there'd definitely been something wrong that caused Nando to spin, they would have said so

No, probably not. It would sound like an 'excuse', as you know. The Ferrari PR is always very 'polished'. Fernando often mentions things in the spanish interviews you won't find on the 'official' ones. And Fernando did not say it caused the spin; he said he caught both the kerbs and the artificial grass and that caused the spin.

While i suppose you could make a connection because those two incidents, the result is the same.

[scuderia_nano]

No, probably not. It would sound like an 'excuse', as you know. The Ferrari PR is always very 'polished'. Fernando often mentions things in the spanish interviews you won't find on the 'official' ones. And Fernando did not say it caused the spin; he said he caught both the kerbs and the artificial grass and that caused the spin.

While i suppose you could make a connection because those two incidents, the result is the same.

Alonso has stopped talking to the English Media about the races and has been quite picture perfect when he gives his interviews ever since Manipulated Race Valencia caused such an uproar and followed by Germany's incident and what followed.

He is more comfortable talking in Spanish with the Spanish Media.

[justjesper]

Not the result we wanted or needed.
We all makes mistakes, but to be honest it was a bad one. Perhaps he should thing about the team just a bit more. It was like looking at Kimi, although that race was extremely wet.
Regarding the media I don't think it will help him not to talk to to the english speaking media. But for sure his biggest fan base is in spain. I guess english speaking fans just have to not get his attention

[onestone]

Fernando said in his spanish press conference after the race. On the straights he had to steer a bit to the right to keep the car on the track.

So thar's his excuse then...I knew he'd have one...(he always does)

[NJB13]

So thar's his excuse then...I knew he'd have one...(he always does)

Yeah, you "must" be right, and I suspect he organized Twubens to run into him to give his excuse some cred and to garner more sympathy

[Hermann]

So thar's his excuse then...I knew he'd have one...(he always does)

Fernando did not 'use this as an excuse'. He just told the press when they asked him. You seem to have a problem with that? Simple, don't read it.

There's probably good reasons he is not talking to the british press after the races anymore. They write nonsense about him all the time, twist his words like it suits them for their agenda and make big stories out of nothing. He should have stopped talking to them after 2007 already.

[red5]

Alonso not making excuses?.Sure?

[translated by Google,original source here]
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte...283102127.html
----------------------------------------------------------
The Spanish Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), who left seven laps in the Belgian Grand Prix, said his race was decided in the first round, when he was struck by Brazilian Rubens Barrichello (Williams).

"Regardless of neglect, we lost two points because I was eighth or ninth. There are two points that served us for nothing and all my race was decided in the first round, which lost all options," he said.

"If the first round had passed normal, like I was just on the podium, so I repent or not the set-up, when there is a race where a car hits you, I hurt, I am in the final position 20 seconds on the penultimate, float, and was ten seconds off the podium when I left, I think we were perfect, "said Alonso.

Asked if he would have stopped to rain tires mounted on the first lap had not had the accident, Alonso admitted that "had not come to change wheels," and on whether the car was damaged in the collision said: "No I know exactly, in the lines are going to the right, something was wrong. "

Asked if he still thought to be world champion Fernando Alonso did not hesitate one bit to answer emphatically: "Yes." And with the same tranquility responded to if the next 8th of September in Paris, where he will team orders of the Grand Prix of Germany, will influence the championship said: "I do not think, quiet."

For Alonso is a championship with seven races. It is best not to leave any. We have had a drop today, as have Button and Vettel, and now the six missing we need to recover what we have taken today and Webber Hamilton. " Something he considers "perfectly possible, because of one race to another can happen." "First we went to us in Germany and Hungary recovering 27 points in two races. Now we've lost 25 in one and each weekend can happen like this: up and down in positions and championship points and after today I'm not We have no other to climb in the coming races. "

The incident in the street of shops where almost collided with Vettel after rain tires mounted, said: "When the light turned green the 'pit stop' had plenty of room to exit. Only when wet and be the Sponsor blue lines, the wheels skidded so much and came so close Vettel. "

And about his off he said: "I touched the curb and the grass is artificial and there was the car. There were seven laps remaining and the eighth or ninth place didn't serve me that much, so I had to take risk for more points because these [points] were not representative. "

Finally Fernando Alonso said: "Before we begin to rain eighths and the two Mercedes had to change tires because they had not stopped yet. So we thought at the sixth position, after the coup at the start and the car damage was a good reward, but it rained and Mercedes took the opportunity to stop and there was no other to overtake on the track in the closing laps. "
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Great job.So a 4 points salvage [8th place] on a disastrous weekend is "little" nowadays.I hope we don't lose the WDC by a few points.

[Hermann]

I hope so as well, but i don't see any 'excuses' here. He is giving explanations to his fans because they were waiting for one. He actually said the spin was his fault because he was risking more.

[Hornet]

Realistically speaking, we were never in a strong position for the WDC. The Red Bulls are very strong, and you can't expect them to screw up all of their remaining races. The only way we can win the title is to beat them at all remaining races. Does anyone think we can do that? I don't think so.

We have no choice but to go aggressive, pull some radical gamble and stuff like that.

Its easy for us to criticize them when things go wrong, but personally I put my trust in the team and the drivers to know whats best for them.

Even Lewis went off too. He is in a more comfortable position, and yet he knows he cannot be too cautious either.

[racingbradley]

"The car" made fourth yesterday with Massa (our "other" driver) so surely Fernando's car could have been 1st 2nd or 3rd given the fact that he outpaces Felipe all the time!!!!
"Ferrari just isn't giving him the equipment to do so" is a ridiculous excuse.

Good point!!!That's how I see it too
There are a lot of excuses on various threads about Alonso. None to say well done Massa on a wet track (not his speciality apparently!!!!) Kept his head and gained some valuable points for the team!!!!!
I was proud of him.

[NJB13]

I'm constantly amazed at posts that set our teammates as opponents.
Here's a crazy off-the-wall thought - perhaps they are both great drivers that can do well. Sometimes one will have a great day and good luck and other times it will be the other one.
Now, here's an even crazier thought - they might act like teammates and help each other as and when they can.
Unheard of I know, but, it seems to work in practically every other sport in the universe. Who knows we might even get some here to support this thought. (of course Trolls excluded)

[Tifosi]

I think it would amaze some posters to learn that we have two drivers to be honest

[zakfourie]

After watching today's race I remembered Luca's words after Schumacher was signed: "Now there are no excuses."

Alonso beat Michael in 2005 and 2006 on consistency alone. This year he has for the most part outpaced Felipe, something that Kimi never managed. There is no question that Fernando has the pace and intellect to be world champion - Ferrari just isn't giving him the equipment to do so.

Remember when Michael struggled in 2003/2005 and 2006 he made mistakes left and right just as Fernando does now. Every driver will struggle when fighting in the middle of the pack but with ambitions for the title.

Ferrari and Alonso must stick to their guns through this difficult period and build the performance up again, just don't expect it immediately. At least with Alonso at the wheel we know he'll deliver because he has done so before.

[Hermann]

How about going over to autosport and join the Alonso- bashfest there, they already killed and buried him. Maybe then the Ferrarifans here can have some decent conversation.

[onestone]

Good point!!!That's how I see it too
There are a lot of excuses on various threads about Alonso. None to say well done Massa on a wet track (not his speciality apparently!!!!) Kept his head and gained some valuable points for the team!!!!!
I was proud of him.

Spot on..

[racingbradley]

Try to drive a car at 300 km/h with a steering wheel pointing to the left for 1 1/2 hours and then come back and tell us how it felt. Oh, and you can try the same with a broken clutch. I'm sure you will have fun.

Yeah true but I don't think anyone here claims to be on the list of the top 5 best drivers in the world or if you read the posts here Alonso is the no 1!!!!
Nothing should be too hard for him.
Michael drove a major part of a race with 2 gears and if my memory serves me right came 2nd!!!!!!
Excuses

[Hermann]

Yeah true but I don't think anyone here claims to be in the top 5 best drivers in the world or if you read the posts here is the no 1!!!!
Nothing should be too hard for him.
Michael drove a major part of a race with 2 gears and if my memory serves me right came 2nd!!!!!!
Excuses

I really like your sig. But it should be clear that this is the same for every driver, not only for Massa....

[Vittorio]

Some of you are frankly being way too kind about Alonso. Admittedly, I am not his biggest fan and never wanted him to join Ferrari. It is true, and I will say it again - he is divisive, a prima donna and, to be brutally honest, I've never thought he was the fantastic driver so many people raved about. He won in 2005 and 2006 because he had by far the most reliable car, which was also one of the quickest in both years. His showing against a rookie at McLaren in 2007 was unconvincing for the most part - he was outclassed by a rookie way too many times, however talented the rookie turned out to be, and his childish handling of it all showed immense lack of self-confidence as a man.

But, being a Ferrari fan, I wanted him to do well and, if possible, even win the championship for the Scuderia. He simply has not delivered for the most part. I base this on the following:

To blame it squarely on the car is not representative - he has made some very shabby mistakes too many times this year which can hardly be blamed on the car.

He was gifted both his wins in 2010 - at Bahrain and, especially, let it be said, at the German GP. He never, ever deserved the latter victory, whatever people might feel about the whole team orders debacle.

To compare him to Kimi Raikonnen vs. Massa in their respective first years is ridiculous. For one thing, Massa was a totally different driver then who was way more feisty and a real fighter and bigger 'chancer'. I don't care what anyone or even Flipe says - he has definitely lost his edge since that terrible accident at the Hungarian GP last year. I definitely see the difference in most races. Also, Raikonnen made far fewer outright mistakes in 2007 than Alonso has in 2010. Kimi's driving was mostly very clean that year - one can hardly say that about Alonso this year. If Kimi arrived at Ferrari with lots of expectations riding on his shoulders, then Alonso arived with tons more. And he has not delivered for the most part.

Michael struggled in 2005 due to the limitations of the Bridgestone tyres that year, and the car was anything but the best in 2006 - but he was still fighting for the title until the very end that year. Alonso is in the fight this year - but only just. And, sorry, Michael definitely made less mistakes in either of those two years than Alonso has in his first year at Ferrari. Even today, between Michael and Alonso in the very same Ferrari, I would definitely feel more confident with Michael at the wheel.

To be brutally honest, I don't think Alonso is as shrewd and even as fast a driver as he was back in his heyday. He seems too accident-prone and way too emotional in a lot of his driving this year. Perhaps the pressure and prestige of finally driving for Ferrari has taken its toll on him? Perhaps, yes.

Could he win next year or in 2012 given a better car? Sure he could. No doubt about that. Just as everyone was convinced he was 'without a doubt' the man to beat this season... Let's face it, and without downgrading Alonso's undeniable talent - pretty ordinary, even overrated drivers have won world championships in the past when they have had the best or most consistent car in the field. Button in a Brawn, anyone?