F1 News

Missed some important F1 stories this week? Not got enough time to scan the net for the best F1 features? Then get the cream of the week’s F1 press right here! It’s been a busy weekend, especially regarding ludicrous Fernando Alonso rumours.

Sunday 4 November 2007

Alonso and Brawn set to join Red Bull dream team Rumours on Fernando Alonso’s future from The Guardian that looks like it was plucked out of thin air, relying on unnamed ‘informed sources’.

Michael Schumacher to McLaren? A throwaway comment by Patrick Head to the Mail on Sunday is turned into a headline story by Pitpass.com. Read the quote in its proper context in this Metro article: Hands off Rosberg, McLaren told

Red Bull have ruled out signing Alonso for 2008 More rumours about Fernando Alonso are apparently laid to rest. But few have commented on Dietrich Mateschitz’s mid-sentence U-turn, where he announces that, though “[David] Coulthard and [Mark] Webber are 100% our drivers for 2008″, he admits that “there’s nothing certain in F1, only things that are very probable.”

Williams warn McLaren off Rosberg Unsurprisingly, Nico is not for sale.

Saturday 3 November 2007

From the F1 news archive A reminder of what Alonso said about the Renault team last year.

A feeling of déjà vu This Alonso situation is reminiscent of another we had not so long ago…

As one door closes Excellent feature from Planet F1 that echoes many points made on this site!

James Allen’s verdict The ITV-F1 commentator gives us his point of view on the Alonso situation, from his privileged position of having followed the former champion around the world all year.

Alonso free to sign for any team Rumours that Alonso cannot drive for another manufacturer are laid to rest by his manager.

Mika Hakkinen retires The two-times champion calls time on his racing career.

Renault makes its play for Alonso But with conditions…

Lewis predicts potential team-mates And they’re all young and up and coming. Just not as up and coming as he is!

Friday 2 November 2007

The Spanish Problem How McLaren can satisfy their Spanish contingent - and why they have little other option.

Alonso is no longer a McLaren driver A look at all the options available to Fernando Alonso.

What next for Alonso? A good article from ITV-F1, though it erroneously says that Alonso is still managed by Briatore.

Thursday 1 November 2007

From the other side of the fence Footage from Spanish TV showing Hamilton’s retirement from the Chinese Grand Prix. And you thought the British press was partisan.

The kettle calling the pot black A look at another F1 site’s obsession with an obsession.

Papering over the cracks Alonso and Hamilton appear to pave the way for Alonso to stay at McLaren.

Wednesday 31 October 2007

“It’s about time he retired, isn’t it?” A mechanic reveals his opinion of his driver. But it could apply to so many!

Max Mosley admits defeat A surprise quasi-admission of his own failings over the past ten years.

Alonso to give Red Bull 0.6 seconds? What Alonso could do for Red Bull, if we believed his own hype.

Following reports in the Spanish media, it has been officially confirmed that Alonso will no longer drive for McLaren.

Though the move had been seen as inevitable since around the time of the Hungarian Grand Prix, stances had softened in recent days, which appeared to suggest that Alonso may stay, if only because he couldn’t find a better option.

So what are Alonso’s options?

We’re going to have to wait three weeks before we find out Alonso’s destination, as Fernando plans on taking a holiday before he makes his decision. In the meantime, all we can do is speculate. Let’s take a look at all the possibilities.

• Renault Talks have stalled over finance and management, but the team knows him and would love to have him back.
  
  Likelihood: 8/10

• Ferrari Both drivers have a contract for next year, but Massa could be farmed out to make way for Alonso. But would Alonso risk being beaten for a second year in a row?
  
  Likelihood: 5/10

• BMW Heidfeld and Kubica have had an outstanding year, why would they change?
  
  Likelihood: 6/10

• Williams There’s a vacancy at the team and Rosberg would learn a lot from a two-times champ. Williams would happily take Alonso for a year, too. The betting man’s choice.
  
  Likelihood: 8/10

• Red Bull There have been rumours of a move to Red Bull for Alonso, but Red Bull would want a bigger commitment than Alonso is willing to give.
  
  Likelihood: 7/10

• Honda Barrichello is apparently on the way out, so there might be a berth, but after their 2007 season, would he want to?
  
  Likelihood: 4/10

• Super Aguri Too busy taking Honda’s leftovers to have space for Alonso.
  
  Likelihood: 2/10

• Toyota An offer has apparently already been rejected, so the chances are slim.
  
  Likelihood: 2/10

• Torro Rosso Quick, young and cheap drivers already confirmed for next year.
  
  Likelihood: 2/10

• Spyker Stranger things have happened (Damon Hill going to Arrows in 1997 is an obvious example), but Alonso would rather retire.
  
  Likelihood: 1/10

• Prodrive If the team even makes it to the grid, its McLaren connections make this nigh on impossible.
  
  Likelihood: 0/10

• A sabatical year There is pride at stake and Alonso might take this option, though coming back after a year would be difficult, especially with so many technical changes next year.
  
  Likelihood: 5/10

More: Fernando Alonso F1 news stories on Digg.com

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^{Photo: Kate Sumbler - Some Rights Reserved}

To those who believe it is only the British press that shows excessive bias towards its compatriots and disdain for their rivals, take a look at this clip from Spanish television of Hamilton’s Chinese GP retirement.

For the non-Spanish speakers among you: “el milagro”, the phrase used at least four times to describe Hamilton’s exit from the race, means the miracle. Quite.

More: Lewis Hamilton F1 news stories on Digg.com

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