Alonso : Those who enjoy me being knocked out in Q1 are third, one second behind Merc

**darkchild** · 11th April 2015, 16:44

Fernando Alonso has issued a warning to his rivals to 'enjoy this moment' of him being knocked out of Q1 for a second race in succession, before making a pointed barb towards Ferrari at its deficit to Mercedes in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix.

Despite promising times during free practice, neither Alonso nor Jenson Button could haul McLaren-Honda out of Q1 in qualifying, the pair starting 18th and 17th respectively in Shanghai.

At a time when his former team Ferrari is starting on the second row, Alonso remains unrepentant about his decision to switch to McLaren, reiterating that it will take a 'risk' to get the better of Mercedes.

Indeed, Alonso went on to say that while rivals may enjoy watching him struggle at the moment, he says there is also no satisfaction to be had for Sebastian Vettel being almost a second behind Mercedes either.

"I'm involved in a new project because to beat Mercedes you need to do something different, you need take some risks, so it's what I decided last year to do,” he said.

“I finished second in the world championship three years in the five years with Ferrari, I could continue two more years there and maybe finish second again, but that was not enough and I preferred the risk.

"Now I'm not getting out of Q1, so it's time for many to enjoy at this moment. Those who are enjoying, they are third, one second behind.

“They're beating me, but they're not beating Mercedes, which at the end of the day is my goal. So it's time for others to enjoy, but soon it will be time for me to enjoy."

Is this guy for real? He absolutely lost his marbles!

No wonder Niki Lauda said what he said today. Ferrari truly was wrong to hire this guy...He is as negative and egocentric as they come.

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/217456/...is-moment.html

**Hornet** · 11th April 2015, 16:50

I don't understand why you feel the need to start a thread discussing about Alonso.

**ClaudiuCojo** · 11th April 2015, 16:51

What did Niki say ?

**vetalo** · 11th April 2015, 16:54

Originally Posted by darkchild

Is this guy for real? He absolutely lost his marbles!

No wonder Niki Lauda said what he said today. Ferrari truly was wrong to hire this guy...He is as negative and egocentric as they come.

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/217456/...is-moment.html

Alonso is just full of himself, he should think about beating JB before talking about beating other teams. Yes he did not win the championship with Ferrari, but Ferrari gave him the best salary for 5 year and he should be grateful. Schumacher won Ferrari championship when our car was not very good . Alonso is very arrogant person and i am glad he left.

**darkchild** · 11th April 2015, 16:56

Originally Posted by Hornet

I don't understand why you feel the need to start a thread discussing about Alonso.

Because I felt like it? Its first time he is sincere in his despise of Ferrari and its fans.

**stefa** · 11th April 2015, 16:56

I have said numerous times on this forum, and I stand by that, that I am TEAM supporter, not driver. I am not attaching to any driver, coz they come and go, and team stays! I have only words of praise for FA while he was driving for Ferrari, but since he left, he gave some really strange direct and/or indirect statements about Ferrari!
Get a grip FA. Heads down, swallow the pride and ENJOY driving for your childhood dream team!!!

**darkchild** · 11th April 2015, 16:57

Originally Posted by ClaudiuCojo

What did Niki say ?

"Alonso is egocentric, dark and grumpy," Lauda told the Repubblica newspaper.

"He's also quite negative. Last year right after the races finished he started criticising: this doesn't work, there's a problem there, this is why we are not winning.

"How can you keep the morale of a team up if the driver just says bad things? Everybody knows it: if you are racing for Italy that's an attitude you can't afford.

"Maybe somewhere else they can ignore the criticism, but not at Maranello and its surroundings. Vettel is sunny, Alonso is dark.

"He made the wrong decision. He pushed himself into the abyss."

**DelMar** · 11th April 2015, 16:57

If Alonso said those words, he has every right to mention it.

Good riddance... He shines in difficult to drive cars, but in WDC contention cars he will have difficulty against the fast drivers. That is why he is the favorite brides maid.

**darkchild** · 11th April 2015, 16:58

Originally Posted by stefa

I have said numerous times on this forum, and I stand by that, that I am TEAM supporter, not driver. I am not attaching to any driver, coz they come and go, and team stays! I have only words of praise for FA while he was driving for Ferrari, but since he left, he gave some really strange direct and/or indirect statements about Ferrari!
Get a grip FA. Heads down, swallow the pride and ENJOY driving for your childhood dream team!!!

I agree. Only driver I adore is MS, and I said I wouldn't talk about FA and wonder why other people talk about. But, this is directed straight at Ferrari and I wonder has he gone mad? Seriously sounds like he has lost it...

**Ilsan** · 11th April 2015, 17:00

Originally Posted by Hornet

I don't understand why you feel the need to start a thread discussing about Alonso.

Maybe because he mocked the team for no reason? Calling his decision was wrong is premature and some of jokes about it felt over the top. But it has nothing to do with the team. I haven't seen anyone from the team say negative stuff about him or his move.

**darkchild** · 11th April 2015, 17:03

Originally Posted by Ilsan

Maybe because he mocked the team for no reason? Calling his decision was wrong is premature and some of jokes about it felt over the top. But it has nothing to do with the team. I haven't seen anyone from the team say negative stuff about him or his move.

Most Ferrari fans aren't even mocking him. Actually, it seems no body does...Its mostly pity like Hamiltons comment after Malaysia. He got out of his way to be VERY venomous to the team that didn't deserve it.

**Hornet** · 11th April 2015, 17:04

Originally Posted by darkchild

Because I felt like it? Its first time he is sincere in his despise of Ferrari and its fans.

Where did he said anything about the fans?

Originally Posted by Ilsan

Maybe because he mocked the team for no reason? Calling his decision was wrong is premature and some of jokes about it felt over the top. But it has nothing to do with the team. I haven't seen anyone from the team say negative stuff about him or his move.

I don't see where he's mocking the team. He's just saying the same thing he said earlier, that if Ferrari beats Merc then his decision was a mistake, otherwise it was a risk he had to take.

He is not saying Ferrari is crap and will never win. He's just saying Ferrari isn't beating Merc to the title yet, which is to imply that he's not saying his decision is wrong.

**DelMar** · 11th April 2015, 17:04

Originally Posted by vetalo

Alonso is just full of himself, he should think about beating JB before talking about beating other teams. Yes he did not win the championship with Ferrari, but Ferrari gave him the best salary for 5 year and he should be grateful. Schumacher won Ferrari championship when our car was not very good . Alonso is very arrogant person and i am glad he left.

Ferrari gave him chances as well.

If he did not bin it at Spa 2010, Monaco FP3 which compromised his race or got P4 at Abu Dhabi he would have been the champ in 2010.
Last race in full wet Interlagos 2012, Vettel first lap incident, win the race and title is yours. Hulkenberg was going great in those conditions and not with a better car...

**darkchild** · 11th April 2015, 17:10

Originally Posted by Hornet

Where did he said anything about the fans?
I don't see where he's mocking the team. He's just saying the same thing he said earlier, that if Ferrari beats Merc then his decision was a mistake, otherwise it was a risk he had to take.

Well he is OBVIOUSLY talking about someone who is third, one second behind Mercedes as the ones enjoying it. I think its implied that team is Ferrari, and the ones who are laughing are the team and fans who he indirectly mentions by saying "third team one second behind Merc".

Originally Posted by Hornet

He is not saying Ferrari is crap and will never win. He's just saying Ferrari isn't beating Merc to the title yet, which is to imply that he's not saying his decision is wrong.

He is saying crap, thats what he is saying, and you can work and spin it around all you want but he is surely dropping hefty amount of venom towards the team. Saying its going to be him that is laughing is going "Hollywood" to much me thinks.

**Hornet** · 11th April 2015, 17:17

Originally Posted by darkchild

Well he is OBVIOUSLY talking about someone who is third, one second behind Mercedes as the ones enjoying it. I think its implied that team is Ferrari, and the ones who are laughing are the team and fans who he indirectly mentions by saying "third team one second behind Merc".

He is saying crap, thats what he is saying, and you can work and spin it around all you want but he is surely dropping hefty amount of venom towards the team. Saying its going to be him that is laughing is going "Hollywood" to much me thinks.

I can see your point, where you are assuming that "enjoying" or laughing means taunting. I don't think that's necessarily the case. The first thing that crossed my mind was that laughing means we're happy with what we've achieved. And he's saying his "happiness ie. victory" will come in the future. You have to remember that English is not his first language. And that may even be poorly translated.

And yes, I'll say Alonso's excuse isn't the most sensible one, he may even probably think it was a mistake now. But he's not going to openly admit it was a mistake. Every competitive driver have that ego in them, sometimes they will justify something even if it is a poor justification.

Regardless, it's no important now what excuses Alonso says to the media.

**Nero Horse** · 11th April 2015, 17:23

Alonso himself messed it up by making this crappy decision to go back to Macca...and now he's bitter and angry towards Ferrari? That crash really must've shook some screws loose in his head. I admired and respected him a lot while he was a Ferrari driver, but now he's back to being the same old bitter and conniving Alonso that he was prior to coming to Ferrari. The more frustrated he becomes at Macca the more nasty gibes he'll be throwing towards Ferrari. He's destroying the last bit of respect I had for him if he keeps this up, too bad. I hope Seb and Kimi will lap him tomorrow in the race.

**impactX** · 11th April 2015, 17:24

Originally Posted by darkchild

Is this guy for real? He absolutely lost his marbles!

No wonder Niki Lauda said what he said today. Ferrari truly was wrong to hire this guy...He is as negative and egocentric as they come.

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/217456/...is-moment.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z38qfEdlaO4

**darkchild** · 11th April 2015, 17:30

Originally Posted by impactX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z38qfEdlaO4

I guess 2 times WDC with Ferrari knows what can and cannot be done at Maranello. More importantly, I'm pretty sure behind the closed doors there is alot of clear criticism towards the car, but double meaning comments from Alonso are something else. Can't wait for the show to start at Woking...

**zike** · 11th April 2015, 17:37

Originally Posted by darkchild

Is this guy for real? He absolutely lost his marbles!

No wonder Niki Lauda said what he said today. Ferrari truly was wrong to hire this guy...He is as negative and egocentric as they come.

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/217456/...is-moment.html

The best thing is we dont care what he thinks

**wisepie** · 11th April 2015, 18:00

Originally Posted by Hornet

Where did he said anything about the fans?

I don't see where he's mocking the team. He's just saying the same thing he said earlier, that if Ferrari beats Merc then his decision was a mistake, otherwise it was a risk he had to take.

He is not saying Ferrari is crap and will never win. He's just saying Ferrari isn't beating Merc to the title yet, which is to imply that he's not saying his decision is wrong.

You're right Hornet but this sort of comment coming from Alonso does nothing for his reputation and sounds like a case of sour grapes, even he must realise that even when Honda get their act together, he's not going to necessarily win another WDC, especially as Ferrari by that time may well be on top again. Sad.

**PURE PASSION** · 11th April 2015, 18:17

Just a question otherwise i'm like Stefa.
Did Seb say anything to provoke him or....??

**khizerk** · 11th April 2015, 18:31

If he keeps on talking about risky...long-term project etc. it sounds even more ridiculous. By the time McLaren gets a handle on things, 2017 rules might come into effect and it will be a new gamble all over again.

**Tony** · 11th April 2015, 18:34

Alonso's comments seem to suggest that he's answering back to something that someone said...

Either:

1) Journalists are asking him all the time if he is regretting his decision and he is getting fed up, or
2) Some of the pit crew are taking little jabs and he is just trying to get back at them...

Either way, best to way and see what the context is for his comments...

Alonso is a complicated fellow and I think everyone knows that, but let's try not too take things personal between us, this thread can deteriorate very rapidly if everyone goes down that route...

**vecchiasignora** · 11th April 2015, 18:47

I be heavily surprised he said sthg stupid like this. I have given up discussing on him, out of respect for greig and make this forum more of a family atmosphere ..then fighting each other over ex-driver.

**vetalo** · 11th April 2015, 18:52

The real Alonso as discribed online

If you look at Alonso's track record when it comes to relationships with the teams he has been with it is difficult to say Lauda is incorrect (unless you are a Fernanrdo nuthugger).

1. In 2006 after everyone at Renault worked their asses off to give him the most competitive car on the grid he went to the media and accused them of "not wanting him to win the Driver's title because he had signed with McLaren."

2. In 2007 the disaster at McLaren where when he was not given preferential treatment within the team over Hamilton he went to the FIA with the whole Spygate scandal ... despite the fact that he was completely complicit in the entire affair .... ultimately costing the team 100 million dollars. The divisive spirit he created and fostered within the team ultimately cost him the title, letting it slip to Raikkonen and Ferrari.

3. In 2008 there was the whole Crashgate nonsense. Nelson Piquet openly stated to the media that Alonso was well aware of the plan bringing disrepute to the team and F1 in general.

4. He went to Ferrari when it was a top team and they gave him two chances to win the title (2010 & 2012), yet he sniped and criticized (as Lauda has mentioned) them to the point where the team was in utter disarray last season.

5. Just a few races into 2015 and he has already thrown McLaren under the bus saying openly to the media that his crash in preseason testing was due to a car failure .... an outright contradiction to what McLaren, and his team-mate Button have said in which the telemetry does not indicate anything failing on the car.

Why he feels the need to run to the media and discuss these things rather than resolve them internally behind closed doors, I do not understand. He actions only serve to demoralize a team and it is bound to deteriorate in such a situation. Alonso is a good driver for sure, but his personality diminishes a team. He does not gel people together instead he isolates himself from the very people who need to be giving everything for him ... what is more is that he does not seem to learn from it and consistently behaves this way time and again. I admire Lauda for calling him out on it.

**stefa** · 11th April 2015, 18:55

Originally Posted by Nero Horse

Alonso himself messed it up by making this crappy decision to go back to Macca...and now he's bitter and angry towards Ferrari? That crash really must've shook some screws loose in his head. I admired and respected him a lot while he was a Ferrari driver, but now he's back to being the same old bitter and conniving Alonso that he was prior to coming to Ferrari. The more frustrated he becomes at Macca the more nasty gibes he'll be throwing towards Ferrari. He's destroying the last bit of respect I had for him if he keeps this up, too bad. I hope Seb and Kimi will lap him tomorrow in the race.

Dear Mr. Alonso,

We won last round, fair and square. It is not one second, and if it is, it is in our reach, as one could not tell for McLaren, which is going to be lapped again if finish the race!

**Hornet** · 11th April 2015, 18:59

Originally Posted by khizerk

If he keeps on talking about risky...long-term project etc. it sounds even more ridiculous. By the time McLaren gets a handle on things, 2017 rules might come into effect and it will be a new gamble all over again.

I agree it's a poor excuse, but regarding rule changes, I think it may actually be Honda's and Renault's best chance at turning things around. As things are with the regulations regarding development restriction, it's going to be very difficult for Honda and Renault to catch up without special intervention by the FIA. So what they may need the most is for a gamble to occur again in the form of major regulation changes. As we've seen in recent past, even the strongest team can fall at the mere change of regulations.

This is assuming that there will be a regulation change of course.