Alonso: Hulkenberg's one of the best

[FA fan]

Fernando Alonso reckons Nico Hulkenberg deserves a "competitive" ride as he is "one of the best drivers" in F1.

Having lost the opportunity to partner Alonso at Ferrari next season, Hulkenberg has since been in the hunt for a new team for 2014.

The German has been linked to Lotus although that deal has yet to be signed as the team is waiting on financial backing.

Should that fail to materialise, Hulkenberg could once again find himself stuck in Formula One's midfield with either Force India or Sauber.

Alonso, though, believes he deserves a "competitive" car.

"For me Nico is one of the best drivers on the grid," the double World Champion told Autosport.

"I said that three years ago, and now everyone seems to have discovered him.

"He is doing a great job, [which] I think is no surprise - he was doing an amazing job [in 2010 with Williams].

"Getting pole position here [in Brazil], in difficult conditions, was a sign of his talent.

"Hopefully we see him in a competitive car in the future."

[Ste]

And again I ask - why didn't we sign him?

Kimi is a short term hope, Nico was a long term prospect.

[Paulo Goncalves]

And if Alonso sponsor him?!


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[Tifoso]

And again I ask - why didn't we sign him?

Kimi is a short term hope, Nico was a long term prospect.

And I'm sure that Nico would have come at a much lower price.

I have wondered if Kimi was "Alonso bolts" insurance...

[Dino]

And again I ask - why didn't we sign him?

Kimi is a short term hope, Nico was a long term prospect.

One possibility is the 2014 tub dimensions too small for Hulk?

Drivers 2013.jpg

[shamim179]

Nico is also very mature and from the way he talks he has this aura about him that commands respect that I have rarely seen in drivers. This is extremely important to have should you wish to become a leader in whatever industry. In F1 this means a strong lead driver who can get the team fully behind him something that not all drivers can do.

It's a shame because he positioned himself at sauber to get a chance at Ferrari but Ferrari didn't take him. I think Ferrari have made a huge mistake by not hiring him.

[Kiwi Nick]

One possibility is the 2014 tub dimensions too small for Hulk?

Drivers 2013.jpg

It is quite possible that he is to big for several cars. But, Lotus are on record as saying that his size is no problem for them. He is about the same height as Grosjean.

[Rishu]

And again I ask - why didn't we sign him?

Probably Luca sees him as another rooster.

[Stormsearcher]

Inclined to agree with Rishu. It might have been a case of 2 roosters, and no matter what ppl say about the strained relationship between LDM and Nando; he was not going to upset Nando IMO.

[Kingdom Hearts]

And again I ask - why didn't we sign him?

Because the team was afraid that Alonso may leave.

[FA fan]

And again I ask - why didn't we sign him?

Kimi is a short term hope, Nico was a long term prospect.

Same reason why redbull didn't take,they don't want to upset their no 1 driver.
He's being punished simply cuz he's really too good!!

[FFFerrari]

Because the team was afraid that Alonso may leave.

I believe this is the case and it will still be the case after next year if the car is a letdown.

Hulkenberg has to be on the short list of drivers that Ferrari is looking at possible drivers for the rest of decade. Along with Lewis and Vettel, he seems to be the best of the younger generation and not "tainted" by other big teams. Unless something drastic happens (and it does quite often in F1), Fernando and Kimi will both drive for us the next two seasons. I can see Kimi leave/retire at the end of 2015 and Fernando driving one more season. Then is the time to bring in a "young" star who could lead us to the seasons 2017-2020 cause I believe Fernando will end his career at the end of 2016.

[diesel08]

yes, I wish to see nico in red...for 2014, but this is it. He is better then raikkonen now.

[wisepie]

And I'm sure that Nico would have come at a much lower price.

I have wondered if Kimi was "Alonso bolts" insurance...

Reckon you're right, Tifoso, and I don't think we'll know whether re-signing Kimi was the right thing to do for a while yet, I feel that 2014 may produce some fireworks and not just between drivers themselves but also by drivers being in the wrong teams for their abilities!

[F2002]

What we do know is that opinions about several topics (especially drivers) are differing greatly within the Ferrari team as of lately.

[Petronius]

And I'm sure that Nico would have come at a much lower price.

I have wondered if Kimi was "Alonso bolts" insurance...

Off course Hulk would have come for a much lower price. He is young and promising driver. Next season Alonso's salary is paid by Santander and Kimi's by Shell. Who is backing up Hulk. That question should be addressed to his management team.

I dont buy any bolts insurance theories. Last four years driver pairing has been good, but result not acceptable. Something had to be done. Solution is actually very logical result of ingredients available.

[Petronius]

Because the team was afraid that Alonso may leave.

That is possible. OTH Ferrari did pay Hulks salary at Sauber recently, to ensure he will not sign Lotus. I think Ferrari has a reserved tag on Hulk for later use, to be triggered after Alonso or/and Kimi resigns.

[RedRebel40]

The guy is in his fast years we should have signed the Hulk instead of Kimi. Kimi is good I have no doubt about that but the Hulk would serve us well for the coming 8 years. Too bad I may say

[pericoloso]

And I'm sure that Nico would have come at a much lower price.

I have wondered if Kimi was "Alonso bolts" insurance...

Bringing Kimi in was Luca's infantile way of saying "I am the boss" as if to try to put Fernando "in his place"... whatever that means. Nico would have been a much better option IMO.

[Petronius]

The guy is in his fast years we should have signed the Hulk instead of Kimi. Kimi is good I have no doubt about that but the Hulk would serve us well for the coming 8 years. Too bad I may say

I partly agree. Combination Kimi&Hulk would have been the optimal pairing for 2014. Latest Ferrari wdc and highly potential contender to learn from master himself.

[Kingdom Hearts]

I partly agree. Combination Kimi&Hulk would have been the optimal pairing for 2014. Latest Ferrari wdc and highly potential contender to learn from master himself.

The optimal pairing is Kimi and his shadow.

[Vanilla Ice]

And again I ask - why didn't we sign him?

Kimi is a short term hope, Nico was a long term prospect.

And I'm sure that Nico would have come at a much lower price.

I have wondered if Kimi was "Alonso bolts" insurance...

Shell wanted Kimi and they are reportedly paying his salary also. Ferrari is in a great spot as they don't need to pay salary to either one of their top drivers. Santander for Alonso and Shell for Kimi.

The optimal pairing is Kimi and his shadow.

Yes I second this.

-Vanilla Ice (Due to legal issues I may be facing my lawyers have advised me to specify that I am not the real Vanilla Ice)

-Vanilla Ice

[eddie]

And I'm sure that Nico would have come at a much lower price.

I have wondered if Kimi was "Alonso bolts" insurance...

Yes, at one point they were worried if Alonso will to leave... Kimi with his experience was the best option

[Bertie]

The Hulk is a great driver no doubt but does he have the experience that Ferrari needs to get the upper hand in a new formula. IMO Kimmi and Alonso offer this in spades.

[DIEK]

Does Alonso himself consider Vettel as a great driver to rank alongside Fangio, Prost or Schumacher?



"Time will tell us," he says. "There are many years [to go in his career].
"He is 26 years old, so when he will have a car like the others, if he wins, he will have a great recognition and be one of the legends in F1 BUT if he is fourth, fifth, seventh, these four titles will be bad news for him because people will take these four titles even in a worse manner than they are doing now.
"So there are interesting times for Sebastian coming."



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/25035783


Lately Alonso is always saying what he thinks...

[FFFerrari]

It seems that Fernando doesn't think highly of the finger-boy (no suprise). But a championship is a championship, no matter how it is achieved. To get four, you have be special, no matter what kind of rocketship your driving.

I personally think that the two championships that Fernando has achieved came with a superior car, not because he was driving the wheels off of a bucket. There are very few cases when the championship has been clinched with a lesser car and those all happened way back.

[Petronius]

Does Alonso himself consider Vettel as a great driver to rank alongside Fangio, Prost or Schumacher?



"Time will tell us," he says. "There are many years [to go in his career].
"He is 26 years old, so when he will have a car like the others, if he wins, he will have a great recognition and be one of the legends in F1 BUT if he is fourth, fifth, seventh, these four titles will be bad news for him because people will take these four titles even in a worse manner than they are doing now.
"So there are interesting times for Sebastian coming."



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/25035783


Lately Alonso is always saying what he thinks...

So it seems. Sometimes it can be wise to think what You say, instead of say what You think. Stating success and achievement of Vettel solely as car advantage is misleading and also indirect critics of Ferrari. Simultaneously it downgrades Schumacher wdc:s in red. Ferrari had car advantage back then.

OTH Alonso is a talented racer not a diplomat. Frustration off not winning is a hard task to over come.Hopefully next Year will bring desired wcc to Ferrari and a team trophy to Alonso in the reds. He definately deserves it as a great team player.