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If Alonso is going to Ferrari, would you do it 09?
Topic Started: Aug 24 2008, 06:54 PM (342 Views)
Steelstallions
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Seeing that Kimi appears to be running on empty and Alonso is getting frustrated at Renault, would you swap Alonso for Kimi in 2009 instead of the heavily (though probably totally untrue) 2010.

I don't know what's up with Kimi, but Massa is beginning to make him look ordinary, that said Alonso doesn't look too hot these days, really not sure on this one. And as i have not liked Alonso in the past that's a swing in popularity for the Spaniard from me :s


NB: Can i have link to a guide on how to get the poll thing to work, i put multi choice but it keep going to single choice <hitwall>
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RJHSaints
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Kimi would need a pay-off, and Alonso's wages would likely be even higher than Kimi's are now. He might bring a performance advantage to the team in qualifying (compared to Raikkonen), then again, Massa might prove to be quicker than Alonso in qualifying and races (might not be the case, but perfectly feasible) and Ferrari would look like mugs for hiring two drivers on salaries higher than Massa, with Massa outperforming both, and Alonso would probably get annoyed at the management for not telling Massa to let him win. Net loss for everyone involved.

I suggest if anyone were going to replace Raikkonen it should be Kubica. He and Massa get along well, he is reliable and not likely to get into a strop if he is not given #1 status. And his wages would probably be lower too, as Kubica reportedly is not too fussed about the size of his pay packet.

This all assumes that Ferrari want to replace Raikkonen. Sure, they won't be happy with his current level of performance in the last few races, but he is still in the title hunt and if he wins two championships in two seasons it would be pretty hard to fire him.

All things considered, if Ferrari for one reason or another want to get rid of Raikkonen, then I suggest Alonso is not the way to go as a replacement.
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Norbert
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You don't need to pay Kimi off, just don't give him a race seat.

<thumbsup>
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RJHSaints
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Ah, a fourth test driver, then. Grand. <roflmao>
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Red Andy
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I think the speculation that Alonso would not get on with the Ferrari management if they refused to give him #1 status is unfounded. As long as Alonso was told that he would be expected to beat Massa on merit rather than have wins and titles handed to him, I'm sure he would be fine - unlike the situation at McLaren with Hamilton, Alonso would have the advantage of "knowing his enemy," so to speak, i.e. knowing how good Massa is and what sort of competition to expect. Plus Ferrari have a good reputation for handling their drivers, which McLaren certainly do not, so if any problems did arise I am sure Ferrari's management would be able to deal with the situation far better than McLaren did.

From what I've heard, if Kimi elects to retire off his own bat then Ferrari won't need to pay him off. The last few races have been difficult for Kimi and he hasn't exactly shone, but remember that he was at least this bad in the early part of last season and bounced back to win the title. With the short time remaining this season I think this is unlikely to happen again, but it's not out of the question that in the last few races of this year we see the "old Kimi" in a resurgence to the front of the field.

The Ferrari/Kimi relationship has not gone as well as most people were expecting and/or hoping, and it seems that a lot of Ferrari fans are now coveting Alonso rather than supporting Kimi who has, as we know, been blisteringly quick on his day - perhaps even quicker than Fernando. Kimi must be aware of this and this may influence his decision.

For what it's worth, however, I think Kimi will see out his Ferrari contract and then retire at the end of 2009, leaving his seat open for Alonso.
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Craze_b0i
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Kimi still has the speed. Look at his fastest laps. The problem is getting heat in the front tyres on the first lap for quali. Eventually he will find a way around this, of course by then Hamilton will have won this year's title...
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Rams
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Spa is the final straw for Kimi. It's a real drivers circuit and he's always been brilliant around there, if he fails to win or at least beat Massa then it's curtains for him IMO. Some rain there may help him as well (or rather, hinder Massa).
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Craze_b0i
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Rams,Aug 25 2008
09:05 AM
Spa is the final straw for Kimi. It's a real drivers circuit and he's always been brilliant around there, if he fails to win or at least beat Massa then it's curtains for him IMO. Some rain there may help him as well (or rather, hinder Massa).

I agree completely.
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Rob
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Craze_b0i,Aug 25 2008
03:24 AM
Kimi still has the speed. Look at his fastest laps. The problem is getting heat in the front tyres on the first lap for quali. Eventually he will find a way around this, of course by then Hamilton will have won this year's title...

I wouldn't count out Massa just yet. He was on line for a win in Hungary, and won yesterday, both tracks should have been McLaren circuits.
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RJHSaints
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If he doesn't finish ahead of Massa at Spa Ferrari will have to back Massa in the race. Rain might favour Raikkonen, but hopefully it will be dry (or at least wet throughout and not changeable) as they are the only conditions that allow for a really representative straight fight.
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Rams
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RJHSaints,Aug 25 2008
04:20 PM
but hopefully it will be dry (or at least wet throughout and not changeable) as they are the only conditions that allow for a really representative straight fight.

And a downright boring encounter, quite frankly.

Last years race was poor, nothing happened at all. We need some excitement after yesterday, and I certainly don't see Monza providing any the race after.
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RJHSaints
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If Massa wasn't in such a crucial place in the championship then I would agree.

But he is and as such I think driver loyalties are going to come before a desire for exciting racing, at least until the end of this season.
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Alien_SAP_Fiend
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Red Andy,Aug 25 2008
08:09 AM
it seems that a lot of Ferrari fans are now coveting Alonso rather than supporting Kimi who has, as we know, been blisteringly quick on his day - perhaps even quicker than Fernando. Kimi must be aware of this and this may influence his decision.

For what it's worth, however, I think Kimi will see out his Ferrari contract and then retire at the end of 2009, leaving his seat open for Alonso.

LOL yes, I am sure that the only thing Kimi cares about is whether the Tifosi like him or not.

I agree that it's likely that he'll retire at the end of 2009. Can't see him carrying on for another 3 years after that.
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John
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Watching Kimi's attitude to the job makes me feel even more privileged to have been a Schumacher supporter...

I have no loyalties to the Ferrari team or to Kimi... I do like them both fine and am pleased if they win on any given Sunday but equally I am happy if Lewis or Kovi or anyone else for that matter wins (please let Nick win)

However, I have always felt Kimi was only ever interested in one championship... and If Massa (or Lewis) where to win the WDC at least it was because he is driving his socks of to get it...
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