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[1Lemon]

Looks like he's going to Force India!

[madbrad]

the last major move we had was preceded by a major move from a sponsor which basically helped Ferrari pay for Alonso. A sort of pay driver if you will.

To my knowledge Ferrari drivers' salaries have since time immemorial been paid by Marlboro.

[Big Azza]

Interesting to see Alonso's view on the matter, if the source is genuine.

http://www.inautonews.com/hamilton-right-to-consider-leaving-mclaren-alonso#.UFPjhLKPVAU

Sep.14 (GMM/Inautonews.com) Fernando Alonso has backed Lewis Hamilton as the 2008 world champion considers leaving McLaren at the end of the season.
After just a single season alongside then-rookie Hamilton in 2007, Spaniard Alonso left the British team.
This week during a media event in Spain, the now Ferrari driver said leaving McLaren “was the best decision of my life”.
“So if Hamilton is also evaluating that option, I don’t see why anyone should say it (Hamilton leaving) is not possible.
“McLaren is a great team, but they won the world championship in 2008 only at the last corner of the last race. If we remove that title, you have to go back a long way to find another one,” added Alonso.
Alonso and Hamilton clashed infamously as teammates in 2007, but it is clear the pair now have a great respect for one another.
Alonso confirmed: “I have said he is the only one capable of winning without having the best car. The others win if the car is good, and when it is not (good), they do not (win).”

[Jabberwocky]

You could take that as Alonso thinking "If I get Lewis out of Mclaren, I have one less decent driver/car pairing to put up with next year."

[Big Azza]

You could take that as Alonso thinking "If I get Lewis out of Mclaren, I have one less decent driver/car pairing to put up with next year."

Yeah, that's what I was thinking... If I was Lewis I wouldn't be too happy with those mind games and exploitation of the situation by Alonso.

[What's Burning?]

You could take that as Alonso thinking "If I get Lewis out of Mclaren, I have one less decent driver/car pairing to put up with next year."

Yeah, that's what I was thinking... If I was Lewis I wouldn't be too happy with those mind games and exploitation of the situation by Alonso.

Flattery is the sincerest form of exploitation?

[Big Azza]

If I was facing a tough decision, I would not like my immediate rivals to make an opinion just to get in my head!

[What's Burning?]

If I was facing a tough decision, I would not like my immediate rivals to make an opinion just to get in my head!

You're making an assumption that is what is happening. It may be, it may not be. I may be genuine. Lewis has said similar things about Alonso in the past. He may be simply returning the favor.

The point is, we don't know and the only ones that have a true inkling of what's going on is Lewis, his management team, Mclaren and any other team he has sat down to talk directly to.

Hamilton is in the driver's seat in these negotiations.

[Hammer278]

Hamilton is in the driver's seat in these negotiations.

Something which McLaren have not realized yet....although I'm sure they have, but will never reveal/hint at publicly of course.

[darwin dali]

You could take that as Alonso thinking "If I get Lewis out of Mclaren, I have one less decent driver/car pairing to put up with next year."

Yeah, that's what I was thinking... If I was Lewis I wouldn't be too happy with those mind games and exploitation of the situation by Alonso.

Flattery is the sincerest form of exploitation?

My modus operandi

[What's Burning?]

Hamilton is in the driver's seat in these negotiations.

Something which McLaren have not realized yet....although I'm sure they have, but will never reveal/hint at publicly of course.

The timing is off, but he is in the driver's seat.

[f1ea]

A lot of opinions based on assumptions up there.

I would say Alonso just answered a question he was asked.

I would say Lewis isn't too concerned with what Alonso is saying about his contract negotiations. In fact he probably has a decision made already.

And i would say Lewis is not exactly in the driver's seat; i mean the decision will be his in the end, but its not like there's that many options. I guess it all depends on what he wants. Maybe he simply wants change. Or maybe money. Or maybe winning. Or maybe he wants daddy Ron back. Who knows, maybe all of that.

[Jabberwocky]

I think the deal is already done, just a lot of flak and deception, keeping every other team waiting to see what where he goes before signing a driver.

If Lewis moves, if he has not told Mclaren then Mclaren need to fill his seat, One of the Force India guys I think will get it. That means FI need to fill a seat, who do they take?

even more who would Lewis replace? Schumacher or Massa, where are they going to go? I can see Schumacher retiring, but Massa will then be looking for a seat? Maybe ferrari would pay for a seat at Sauber or STR for him? If I can not see Perez moving on, so KK will be looking for a seat? All this is up in the air until Lewis says he has signed for someone. Think how much it is distracting the whole grid!

[scotty]

That means FI need to fill a seat, who do they take?

An obvious answer but i think Bianchi would step in.

[kerc]

I think the deal is already done, just a lot of flak and deception, keeping every other team waiting to see what where he goes before signing a driver.

If Lewis moves, if he has not told Mclaren then Mclaren need to fill his seat, One of the Force India guys I think will get it. That means FI need to fill a seat, who do they take?

even more who would Lewis replace? Schumacher or Massa, where are they going to go? I can see Schumacher retiring, but Massa will then be looking for a seat? Maybe ferrari would pay for a seat at Sauber or STR for him? If I can not see Perez moving on, so KK will be looking for a seat? All this is up in the air until Lewis says he has signed for someone. Think how much it is distracting the whole grid!

I see Schumacher retiring to a management position, and Lewis replacing him, teaming up with Nico.