Alonso given right to choose team-mate

[vcs316]

Fernando Alonso has revealed that he can all but choose who his next team-mate will be at Ferrari. As the Formula 1 circus gathered again in Valencia on Thursday, the Spaniard was naturally quizzed over the ongoing Sebastian Vettel-to-Ferrari rumours.

Alonso joined the Scuderia at the start of 2010, racing alongside Felipe Massa who was already in his fifth season with the team. At the end of the Brazilian’s seventh Ferrari campaign in 2012, he is expected to be replaced by another driver – whose fate will be partly sealed by the two-time World Champion of 2005 and 2006.

When asked if he will be influencing the decision, the Spaniard replied:

“In the past, never. Now with Ferrari, yes. I go to the factory in Italy every week, sometimes seeing the President (Luca di Montezemolo) plus Stefano (Domenicali, Team Principal). We all talk about the car development, the future of F1, Ferrari car owners, team-mates, etcetera.”

Furthermore, Alonso revealed that he would have ‘no problem’ in being reunited with Lewis Hamilton, with whom he experienced a fierce partnership at McLaren in 2007.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/2...ose-team-mate/

[racingbradley]

Furthermore, Alonso revealed that he would have ‘no problem’ in being reunited with Lewis Hamilton, with whom he experienced a fierce partnership at McLaren in 2007.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/2...ose-team-mate/

Of course not Lewis would be joining his team not the reverse. I really can't see Ramilton joining Ferrari---he would be too frightened of being labelled 2nd driver.

[Tifoso]

1. Hamilton joins Ferrari, and I will stop watching until he leaves. I just can't stand him.

2. Pretty low budget of Alonso to make these comments while Massa is still his team-mate, IMHO.

[SashAlex]

I think it was kinda cheap from Fernando to speak this way. Yeah, he's been great, but it's not like he's won already two titles !?

[Ferrarichamp]

I can't imagine Ramilton in red somehow. Did Alonso say these exact words or were they twisted by the media?

[Greig]

I think it would be natural for the team to speak to the lead driver about who might be arriving if they change, I imagine Massa knew Kimi was coming etc and had been fine with it. Alonso has not said he wants Massa replaced.

[Tifoso]

I think it would be natural for the team to speak to the lead driver about who might be arriving if they change, I imagine Massa knew Kimi was coming etc and had been fine with it. Alonso has not said he wants Massa replaced.

Me, too. But he didn't say anything in advance.

[Rob]

I think it would be natural for the team to speak to the lead driver about who might be arriving if they change, I imagine Massa knew Kimi was coming etc and had been fine with it. Alonso has not said he wants Massa replaced.

Its only right too ask the lead driver about future team mates. Just think it has all been blown out of proportion, again. Like Lewis was never asked about team mate for 2008?

[Hornet]

So, all Alonso said was he had no problem if Lewis was his team mate. Whats the big deal?

What was he (or any driver) supposed to say. That Lewis sucks and he should not be in a Ferrari ever?

[Tifoso]

So, all Alonso said was he had no problem if Lewis was his team mate. Whats the big deal?

What was he (or any driver) supposed to say. That Lewis sucks and he should not be in a Ferrari ever?

Yup

[Tifosi]

Its only right too ask the lead driver about future team mates. Just think it has all been blown out of proportion, again. Like Lewis was never asked about team mate for 2008?

it just confirms what we all already knew really

...still, no-one likes it saying in so many words because it's a statement that is naturally exclusive of our second driver, whom we(!?) are rallying for at the moment.

Typical media trying to sheet stir though. Not Fernando's fault.

[Tobes]

it just confirms what we all already knew really

Exactly, nothing new, short of a miracle I think it's pretty much a done deal with Massa, still not convinced it's the best way forward, in Massa you have a proven driver who is accustomed to towing the party line and doing what is asked of him, there are no doubt better drivers out there, but would any of them would accept the situation as willingly as Massa, certainly not the likes of Lewis or Vettel...
Think it's perfectly reasonable to discuss who Alonso would like as a team mate, he's in it for the long haul so a happy team is vital, although the conversation could be more about who he wouldn't like...

[Giallo 550]

This was recently posted on Speed - http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...season-rumors/. He keeps saying he is his happy with Felipe, so I would like think him and Ferrari are not plotting to oust him. Also, I really hate the caption under that picture in the original poster's link.

Inevitably the recent rumors linking Sebastian Vettel with Ferrari were a topic of conversation when Fernando Alonso met with reporters in Valencia Thursday.

Well-versed in dealing with driver rumors, the local hero was keen to play down the Vettel story.

“Rumors, I think, with Ferrari are always the same,” said Alonso. “When I won the 2005 Championship with Renault, I was linked to Ferrari immediately – and I arrived in 2010. So, if Sebastian is linked now, maybe he’ll arrive in five years’ time. I don’t know. Every summer it is the same with Ferrari, as I said, but at the moment we repeat the same thing.

“[I am] extremely happy with Felipe (Massa, teammate). Whatever teammate comes in the future will be welcome, will be part of the team and part of Ferrari and, as I said, when I joined this team the most important thing in Ferrari is to help each other to make one red car win. It’s something that president (Luca) di Montezemolo is very clear on when you arrive on day one in Ferrari. So, whatever teammate is coming in the future, if it comes, will be no problem, and we will try to work as we are doing now with Felipe.”

Asked whether he would be happy to work with Vettel or Lewis Hamilton, Alonso said: “No problem.”

Meanwhile, the Spaniard said he was pleased with recent progress in the Ferrari camp.

“I’m extremely happy with the effort of the team," Alonso said. "It’s true that we didn’t start in the best position, so maybe in that aspect we were a little bit advantaged because it’s easier to improve to a bad car than a good car normally because we had many things that didn’t work at the beginning, so maybe it was a little bit easier to put everything right.

“But it’s true that in the last four Grands Prix or something like that, every new part we bring to the race, it correlates and is working as we expect from the wind tunnel. This is something we struggled with in the past, in the last two years, especially. Yeah, more self-confidence in the team now, in all the new designs, in all the information we get from the wind tunnel, this is good. Not just for now but for the near future.”

Asked if he would be happy with a good helping of points for second or was determined to win in front of his home crowd, Alonso said: “Sure, getting some podiums now, in the next couple of races, especially in July when we have three races in four weeks, it will be important to have some consistency in this very important month, we think.

“But, being on Thursday, we only think about victory, because we want to win, especially here in Spain, in front of our fans, and we will try our best. Difficult question because we know second in this type of championship is also good points.”

[zakfourie]

Yup

+1

[zakfourie]

Yeah this is the typical situation where a statement such as:
"I will probably be involved in the next driver's descision coming to Ferrari if I'm still there when it comes to that"
is turned into a statement such as:
I, above Ferrari, will choose my teammate. No one else!!"

[scuderiafan]

I gotta say, not exactly the words I wanted to hear.
Anyways, Fernando with Ted. Some words I DO want to hear!

http://www1.skysports.com/formula1/video/12870/7833742

[REDARMYSOJA]

All the article really says is that Alonso will have "influence" on the decision, and for all we know he could be influencing them to bring Felipe back.

[brembo man]

Massa has to be happy he's going nowhere soon and Alonso helping him stay by saying Lewis could be next in line, knowing Lewis can't fit in a #2 size seat.

[Greig]

Alonso described talk about Ferrari's next driver as "rumours".

"When I won the 2005 championship with Renault, I was linked to Ferrari immediately - and I arrived in 2010," he said. "So, if Sebastian is linked now, maybe he'll arrive in five years' time. I don't know. "(I'm) extremely happy with Felipe (Massa). Whatever team-mate comes in the future will be welcome, will be part of the team and part of Ferrari and, as I said, when I joined this team the most important thing in Ferrari is to help each other to make one red car win. "It's something that president (Luca) Di Montezemolo is very clear on when you arrive on day one in Ferrari. So, whatever team-mate is coming in the future, if it comes, will be no problem and we will try to work as we are doing now with Felipe."

Massa struggled at the start of the season, and it was thought the Brazilian would lose his drive at Ferrari next year. But his form has improved in recent races and Alonso said he thought Massa could yet stay on as his team-mate. "Yeah. I do," Alonso said. "I have a lot of respect for Felipe. "From the outside it's difficult to appreciate what a challenging time he's given to me in the last three years. He's not bad, even if from the outside he looks (it)."

[Tifoso]

---

Ah, now that's the Alonso we all know

Danged media

[Grillo]

We're in a key moment of the season and Massa looks much better now, he might be a key player in both titles. There's too much talking about Massa's replacement for 2013, I'd love to see him winning in Valencia and all those rumours disappear in a blink.

[Poltergeistes]

Amazingly enough, it seems that whenever he is racing home, Fernando's words gets even more twisted and manipulated by the media.

To me it's a rule, when the GP is in spain whatever it is that you READ about Fernando saying is actually the complete opposite. it's a disapointment to both media (spanish and english speaking) that he doesn't say something that would cause a big stir, or would raise eyebrows, so they've got to find a way to twist it, to get what they want.

Their favorite recipe is, to the spanish media they will look for something he said in english, and then interprete it in a way that wasn't meant, and the international media will look for anything he has said in spanish and do their share of the same manipulative work.

[vcs316]

Lewis Hamilton doubts Fernando Alonso's comments over Ferrari link-up

Hamilton is sceptical of claims made by Fernando Alonso that the British driver would be welcome at Ferrari. Hamilton's contract runs out at the end of the season and there will be a vacancy at Ferrari, because Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa is unlikely to have his agreement renewed.

When Alonso was asked if he would be prepared to work with Hamilton again he offered a magnanimous shrug and said: "No problem."

But when Hamilton was told of this he said: "Of course he [Alonso] is going to say that. I would say the same thing, whether it was true or not."

There was friction between the two drivers when they were together at McLaren in 2007, when Alonso – the world champion in the previous two seasons – was blown away by Hamilton in his brilliant rookie season.

While it would be true to say that McLaren's stern management structure at that time was not ideally suited to Alonso's temperament, it is equally true to point out that Alonso would not welcome back his old adversary in the biggest team in Formula One. There are also persistent rumours that Alonso's long-term partner in the red car will be another world champion, Sebastian Vettel.

Ron Dennis, McLaren's executive chairman, said in Canada earlier this month that Hamilton's five-year deal (worth an estimated £75m) was signed in a very different economic climate, suggesting that his star driver may be asked to make a pay cut.

Hamilton said on Thursday: "Ron is a very tough negotiator. He was very tough when they negotiated the contract that I now have and I expect him to be the same when we go back in."

But Hamilton insisted that he – and not his management agency, XIX Entertainment – will decide when contract talks will start.

He said: "I did not hire them to do all that. That is why Simon [Fuller] is not here all the time but I know at some point I will have to say to him that I need him to do a job, and he will go and do it. Up until then I have to focus on the important stuff.

"They [negotiations] haven't started. Ron was just trying to position himself because he knows it is getting close. I just have to wait for things to fall into place. At some stage they will."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012...alonso-ferrari

[Kingdom Hearts]

The moment I saw the press confenrece I knew that some media will start the manipulation games. He clearly said that he is not the one choosing the next teammate, they are, Stefano and Montezemolo. The press is stupid.

[sav_pap]

If I was Luca D with the best driver of the grid working for my team and if I was going to replace my second driver I surelly would involve my first driver in the decision making.

[wacc]

I am sorry to see the journalists at their best making up things. It is out of context. It is better to read the press conference transcription from formula1.com

[Alonsomaniac]

Lewis Hamilton doubts Fernando Alonso's comments over Ferrari link-up

Hamilton is sceptical of claims made by Fernando Alonso that the British driver would be welcome at Ferrari. Hamilton's contract runs out at the end of the season and there will be a vacancy at Ferrari, because Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa is unlikely to have his agreement renewed.

When Alonso was asked if he would be prepared to work with Hamilton again he offered a magnanimous shrug and said: "No problem."

But when Hamilton was told of this he said: "Of course he [Alonso] is going to say that. I would say the same thing, whether it was true or not."

There was friction between the two drivers when they were together at McLaren in 2007, when Alonso – the world champion in the previous two seasons – was blown away by Hamilton in his brilliant rookie season.

While it would be true to say that McLaren's stern management structure at that time was not ideally suited to Alonso's temperament, it is equally true to point out that Alonso would not welcome back his old adversary in the biggest team in Formula One. There are also persistent rumours that Alonso's long-term partner in the red car will be another world champion, Sebastian Vettel.

Ron Dennis, McLaren's executive chairman, said in Canada earlier this month that Hamilton's five-year deal (worth an estimated £75m) was signed in a very different economic climate, suggesting that his star driver may be asked to make a pay cut.

Hamilton said on Thursday: "Ron is a very tough negotiator. He was very tough when they negotiated the contract that I now have and I expect him to be the same when we go back in."

But Hamilton insisted that he – and not his management agency, XIX Entertainment – will decide when contract talks will start.

He said: "I did not hire them to do all that. That is why Simon [Fuller] is not here all the time but I know at some point I will have to say to him that I need him to do a job, and he will go and do it. Up until then I have to focus on the important stuff.

"They [negotiations] haven't started. Ron was just trying to position himself because he knows it is getting close. I just have to wait for things to fall into place. At some stage they will."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012...alonso-ferrari

The moment I read the words "blown away" I knew what kind of "journalist" had written this. Didn't bother to read the rest.

[Hornet]

LOL. If by blown away they meant Lewis finishing equal with Alonso despite having the entire team rallying behind him and against Alonso, they must have a really low standard.

[Stormsearcher]

So, all Alonso said was he had no problem if Lewis was his team mate. Whats the big deal?

What was he (or any driver) supposed to say. That Lewis sucks and he should not be in a Ferrari ever?

True. but how the press would love for him to say that! haha

[Stormsearcher]

We're in a key moment of the season and Massa looks much better now, he might be a key player in both titles. There's too much talking about Massa's replacement for 2013, I'd love to see him winning in Valencia and all those rumours disappear in a blink.

Just sounds like they are trying to get under massas skin arent they?
He seems to have found some form and is looking better with each race. Some people might be worried.