Carlos Sainz manager meets with Christian Horner in Hungary

[REDARMYSOJA]

Ferrari need to be very careful here. I said this many months ago. But I feel like they did the wrong thing to make these statements public. It's worse than what happened with Lewis at McLaren. McLaren were desperate to keep hold of Lewis but here with Ferrari it seems we are too proud to appear desperate to hang onto Alonso and praise him highly but rather talk about that he hasn't performed to his maximum at times and this could really well be decider. Most educated fans, teams, paddock and experts know the Alonso places the car where it shouldn't belong. Assume that Alonso underpeforms in the Ferrari then how must be Massa be performing? And why are Ferrari so gentle on Massa year after year where the points gap to Alonso is so big? Stinks of double standards. How Ferrari handled this situation is a little reminiscent of how Kimi was treated towards the end of his term at Ferrari so this approach to these situations goes directly to the man at the helm of Ferrari.

The drivers don't run Ferrari. Luca does and the drivers will do as told.

[Rob]

Red Bull runs with Alonso rumour
Insiders and pundits suspect Horner is either using the opportunity to destabilize championship rival Ferrari.

Red Bull runs with Alonso rumour
Jul.29 (GMM) Red Bull is running with the rumour, after Fernando Alonso's manager was spotted in talks with Christian Horner in Hungary.
The suggestion Ferrari's number 1 is about to sensationally switch to Red Bull to replace Mark Webber could have been easily denied, as Alonso's manager Luis Garcia Abad also looks after the career of youngster Carlos Sainz jr.

Instead, Horner said: "There are statements about Kimi and statements about Fernando but we have to make sure nothing clouds our judgment about next year."
Actually, most informed experts, insiders and pundits suspect Horner is either using the opportunity to destabilize championship rival Ferrari, or that Alonso planted the story to heap pressure on Ferrari.

Indeed, the Spaniard's rhetoric stepped up a notch on Sunday, after he lost further ground to runaway points leader Vettel in the Hungarian heat.
"We are trying to close the gap," Alonso told Spanish reporters after the race, "but the superiority of the Red Bull is overwhelming.
"And not just Red Bull, also Mercedes, Lotus ...

"If the team can make some good new parts in the summer and we win four or five races in a row, we can still win the title," added Alonso.
On Italian television Sky, he sounded even more critical.

"It is four years we have had a slower car, between half and one second behind the leader, and we have fought to the end for the world championship still.
"I do not think it will be different this year. We will fight until the end."

Alonso was less forthcoming when it came to the Red Bull rumours. "Nothing to say," he insisted.

Asked if he was however contemplating his long Ferrari contract, he added: "It sounds like the same question put another way. Therefore I will not respond."
He denied knowing his manager had met with Horner, and then pointed the finger at F1's intrigued journalists.
"It's nearly August, so four weeks without formula one is a very dangerous period for you guys (reporters)," said Alonso.
"I hope you have a calm summer."

Alonso's management team, meanwhile, indicated the thought of the two-time world champion becoming Vettel's new teammate is ridiculous.
"Yes," an insider told Marca newspaper, "but only if Vettel is in the second car."
Another insider, this one close to Ferrari, told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport the whole story sounds like "a cheap diversion to destabilise".
Horner, meanwhile, ruled out 'swapping' Vettel for Alonso, while F1's reigning triple world champion also indicated he would fight to keep the Spaniard out of the team.
"I am sure that Fernando is a nice guy and I respect him as a driver," said Vettel. "I would rather have Kimi."

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/re...alonso-rumour/

[M.K]

Ferrari's admission that Di Montezemolo was unhappy with Alonso's public behaviour

What Alo did exactly? Is this about that joke of having someones else's car?

[Mrs Alonso]

Yes i think so. It's just been misconstrued.

[Alessandra]

This has to be a storm in a teacup surely?
We've had 3 weeks of nothing (v. bad scheduling IMO), an indifferent race for us, followed by 4 weeks of nothing again. By 'nothing' I mean nothing to report. I'm sure a whole lot of frenetic work will be going on behind the scenes to get the Ferrari car ready for a storming finish.
At least I hope so. I'm sure everyone will be much encouraged to see LCD turning out for rather more races in the second half of the season than he did in the first!

[M.K]

It looks that we will need Alonso rumor thread soon...

[Grillo]

Alonso prefers 1 more title with Ferrari rather than 4 in other team with the best car.

He's going nowhere, he might not stay in Ferrari after his contract ends. That's all, probably would leave F1.

[AfterLife]

I don't know exactly what is the whole story but what is on Ferrari website about this news (or rumor) is so raw and in some way foolish. Hope Ferrari will do something to solve its own misunderstanding or Fernando Alonso will hit out at Ferrari or Luca di Montezemolo if it is necessary.

[Alonsomaniac]

Fernando isn't going anywhere. I don't believe it for one moment.
He has committed himself to be a Ferrari driver till the end of his career by signing his contract and by publicly stating that Ferrari is his last team on more than one occasion.
Leaving would completely destroy is reputation of a man that really does what he says.
If he would leave I could be no longer his fan and I would change my forum name. Because I will stay here and keep being a Ferrarifan as I would do after his retirement.
But he won't leave.

[shamim179]

Hopefully, Alonso isn't going anywhere. It would be a devastating blow to Ferrari. Would Hulkenburg or even Vettel drag that car to the same places like Alonso can in the same machinery? Hamilton can but he is at Mercedes.

Let's look a bit at the history:
2010 Abu Dhabi: Huge strategic error from the pitwall. Alonso loses WDC when he was the driver most likely to win it. Thereafter, Luca said that he 'owed' Alonso a WDC and that subsequent cars will be better
2011: Red Bull way too dominant. Nothing that Ferrari can do. Alonso just needs to be patient
2012: Radical design to the start of the year but poor car performance. Alonso does well to bring in good points on a consistent basis. Builds a sizeable gap over the competition but ultimately fails to win the WDC

Let's look at some facts and rumours:
2012: Around Singapore GP. Rumours of an argument between Fry and Alonso. Alonso furious that updates are not working despite promises of improvements. Also Alonso under the spotlight for not extracting the maximum out of the car at times. Rumour?
2013: Early part of the year Luca says he hopes Alonso will honour his contract. Fact.
2013: Early part of the year Alonso demands that we keep developing the car and not stop to focus on 2014 car. Fact.
Various years: Horner praising Alonso periodically for his remarkable performances. Fact.
2012-2013: Stefano praising Vettel. Fact
2012-2013: Luca praising Vettel. Fact.
2012: Vettel interested in Ferrari. Fact.
2012: Vettel to join Ferrari in 2013 or 2014. Rumour.

Currently:
Rumours of Alonso going to Red Bull. Rumour.
Alonso making a joke about wanting a faster car. What car did he imply? Ferrari or some other one? Fact.
Luca coming up with what looks like a subtle warning to Alonso publicly. Why do that? Fact.
Certain team members at Ferrari not convinced that Alonso has done as well as he could have achieved in the car. Rumour.
Alonso not commenting or answering questions about a move to Red Bull. Fact.
Horner not commenting or answering questions about a move by Alonso to Red Bull. Fact.
Ferrari engine is going to be behind Mercedes and Renault in terms of performance. Rumour

Make of it what you will guys.

[Hermann]

I don't know exactly what is the whole story but what is on Ferrari website about this news (or rumor) is so raw and in some way foolish. Hope Ferrari will do something to solve its own misunderstanding or Fernando Alonso will hit out at Ferrari or Luca di Montezemolo if it is necessary.

No, he won't, i think he learned his lesson back in 2007 and that lesson is not to bite the hand that feeds you. What i don't understand why Ferrari deemed it necessary to wash dirty laundry in public. I'm sure Monte has Fernano's phone number, in case there was something to talk about.
I remember some quote from former BMW boss, Mario Theissen, who said interviews with his drivers immediately land in his paper bin. He never even knew in his own interviews what was said by a particular driver. Maybe Monte needs to do the same. There is no need to feed the media with 'juicy' stories, they are quite capable of making up their own.

[Suzie]

If anything I expected a Horse Whisperer column dismissing all the speculation, not this.

[shamim179]

No, he won't, i think he learned his lesson back in 2007 and that lesson is not to bite the hand that feeds you. What i don't understand why Ferrari deemed it necessary to wash dirty laundry in public. I'm sure Monte has Fernano's phone number, in case there was something to talk about.
I remember some quote from former BMW boss, Mario Theissen, who said interviews with his drivers immediately land in his paper bin. He never even knew in his own interviews what was said by a particular driver. Maybe Monte needs to do the same. There is no need to feed the media with 'juicy' stories, they are quite capable of making up their own.

You are absolutely correct there. Unfortunately, the media will make a big deal out of this and put as much spin as possible. It was totally unnecessary to share that sort of statement about Alonso to the media. It's like a dad reminding his son about the rules. Very bad move in my opinion and this can have devestating consequences. Massa never got this kind of talk from Luca despite his terrible performances. Something is very wrong here.

[GrndLkNatv]

No, he won't, i think he learned his lesson back in 2007 and that lesson is not to bite the hand that feeds you. What i don't understand why Ferrari deemed it necessary to wash dirty laundry in public. I'm sure Monte has Fernano's phone number, in case there was something to talk about.
I remember some quote from former BMW boss, Mario Theissen, who said interviews with his drivers immediately land in his paper bin. He never even knew in his own interviews what was said by a particular driver. Maybe Monte needs to do the same. There is no need to feed the media with 'juicy' stories, they are quite capable of making up their own.

I wouldn't believe this rumor stuff at all.. Monty doesn't show his cards in public... Sounds like media hype to me. I agree the car needs some help, but they have hired James so that is the missing piece they needed..

[Suzie]

You are absolutely correct there. Unfortunately, the media will make a big deal out of this and put as much spin as possible. It was totally unnecessary to share that sort of statement about Alonso to the media. It's like a dad reminding his son about the rules. Very bad move in my opinion and this can have devestating consequences. Massa never got this kind of talk from Luca despite his terrible performances. Something is very wrong here.

Oh I dunno, Massa got the whole 'his twin brother has been driving' thing from Luca a couple of times. And maybe he has never made post-race comments that offended Luca the way Alonso's joke did
There must have been more gone on in private than that, surely.

[kiwifella]

maybe straight swap, Alonso for Vettel........

[SashAlex]

It's already been established that Alonso's manager met with Horner because of another younger driver he's managing. These managers don't just manage one driver.

He was in a McLaren, and did not like it. He had to return cap in hand to a midfield Renault team, he made his own choices and if he turned down Red Bull then that's his own regret maybe. He can move to Red Bull if he wants, I am sure we will let him buy out his contract if that's what he wants to do.

He might have won titles at Ferrari if he never crashed at Spa in the wet, jumped the start, etc etc but he never.

Are you serious? What r u smokin here?

I mean, I love too Ferrari more than any driver, but some of you guys here are really blind of what's going on and keep supporting the ones ruling the squad, the ones that are not up to.

[REDARMYSOJA]

Oh I dunno, Massa got the whole 'his twin brother has been driving' thing from Luca a couple of times. And maybe he has never made post-race comments that offended Luca the way Alonso's joke did
There must have been more gone on in private than that, surely.

I think this might be the post race comment that Luca took exception to, Alonso's reaction when asked if his manager had been to see Red Bull.





Stephano handled it well later in that clip, which is what I would have expected Luca to do. I can only guess Luca felt he had reason to do so.

[Dino]

If anything I expected a Horse Whisperer column dismissing all the speculation, not this.

Horse Whisperer column was supposed to be out late today.[Monday]

[EL_NANDO]

A turning point to tackle with a knife between the teeth

Maranello, 29 July – “The Ferrari I saw in yesterday’s race doesn’t sit well with me.” President Montezemolo was very clear when, early in the morning, he opened the meeting with Stefano Domenicali and the Scuderia engineers, the day after a disappointing Hungarian Grand Prix, especially on the performance front. The President asked for an immediate upping of the tempo, right from Spa, to start being a contender for victory again, as had been the case up to the Canadian Grand Prix.

As usual, Montezemolo did not mince his words when it came to asking the team to step up a gear. Each one of the engineers present received a “gift” of a knife, along with an invitation – metaphorical up to a point – to put it between their teeth when thinking how to tackle the second half of the season.

This is definitely not the time to start arguing over who was responsible for this or that decision, partly because everything is still possible with nine Grands Prix to go. The points are available and so is the potential to score enough of them to win. Montezemolo is doing his utmost to ensure that the team has all the support and resources it needs, starting with the announcement that James Allison, formerly with Lotus, will join the Maranello team, starting work already on 1st September. However, there is a need to close ranks, without giving in to rash outbursts that, while understandable in the immediate aftermath of a bad result, are no use to anyone.

That was a reference to the latest comments from Fernando Alonso, which did not go down well with Montezemolo, nor with anyone in the team. So, when Montezemolo called the Spaniard this morning to wish him a happy birthday, he also tweaked his ear, reminding him that, “all the great champions who have driven for Ferrari have always been asked to put the interests of the team above their own. This is the moment to stay calm, avoid polemics and show humility and determination in making one’s own contribution, standing alongside the team and its people both at the track and outside it.”

Montezemolo also attended the technical analysis, which went into every detail, leaving no stone unturned, including the subject of the introduction of the new tyres over the course of the last two races, a variable that definitely did not suit the Ferrari. Pirelli’s choice contributed to artificially altering the hierarchy in the field, something that has not pleased the President or the men of the Scuderia. This topic will be the subject of further debate in the near future.

http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/mon...-doesnt-sit-me

[NickEice]

Being in the US we don't get that Deep TV coverage you all have the benefit of. That being said that was a despicable job of journalism. And the written summaries of those interviews is even worse.

I would not be able to hold my cool the way Alonso does when he is basically being interrogated and stories are being fabricated for the paddocks pleasure.

I am as upset as everyone else here especially with this escapade for the next 4 weeks but Alonso is going nowhere. He will win a championship by 2016. He will not go anywhere by then. Hang in there guys. Things will change at Ferrari eventually. Season or two too late? Probably. But we will win again soon.

[Giallo 550]

I don't see it happening, but I will be incredibly disappointed in Fernando if he leaves Ferrari. To me, there is no greater honor in racing than to drive for Ferrari. I can understand his frustration, however. Stating that the team believes that Fernando doesn't always gets the most out of the car is complete ********. There's no way anyone could think that because no one wants to win more than him. If that was actually the case, then what would that say about Felipe? It would have been fine if he said he wanted "a faster car" instead of "someone else's car" for his birthday. No real opinion on Luca's response. On one hand, I think he wanted to remind everyone that he's in charge and that comments like that won't go overlooked. On the other hand, I'm not sure how much good it will do in the long run... On a side note, echo the sentiment that Stefano handled that well.

[FrankAlfa]

I think many top driver have a passion to win and win often! I don't know if any of them put the Team First or are they just thinking of their own personal glory. I think we all know these drivers only see personal glory and go to the team that can provide that. Sad that Alonso's tune has changed and he is no longer speaking of the Team! Try colors emerge when faced with adversity. Fickle is the word to describe these drivers.

[Senna4Ever]

If it is a swap with Vettel I'm fine. I think it would be pretty stupid to move right now before 2014, where there could be a major shakeup of the rules and RBR may not have the advantage but whatever.

Vettel and Hulk/Massa would be a lineup I am absolutely fine with. And at least it gets rid of the Alonso fanboys...

Sir, I only wish you and this place here the maximum amount of Vettel Fanboys all over the place and watching the comments here if success doesn't comes

That will be fun ...

[Imperatore]

Well anything can happen and it's clear that FA is not happy with the car ATM. That being said his comments strike me as childish, I'm with LDM on this all the way.

[71dino]

Next weeks headline in BILD:

Vettel leaves Red Bull for Caterham because he fell in love with Van der Garde!

its about time we were given some sound accurate news... I knew there was something suspicious going on behind the scenes at RB.

[Aruba]

I don't see anything wrong with the comment that Alonso made.

[71dino]

Here comes all the rumors about driver's shuffle for next year . As usual they are going to throw anything they can think off and see what sticks

its going to be a very long month... lol

[Hermann]

I don't see anything wrong with the comment that Alonso made.

I was wondering too what was so 'provocative' here, maybe i'm missing the point (or i'm just not that oversensible).

[Grillo]

I was wondering too what was so 'provocative' here, maybe i'm missing the point (or i'm just not that oversensible).

Answer: Nothing.

It's easier to talk about what Alonso said that equals to nothing rather than talking about the reality of a worrying lack of speed, lack of solutions, lack of development... I don't think many fans believe what Alonso said is something against the team.