FORUMula1.com

[McLaren Fan]

And speaking of Senna there's some rumours this weekend in the paddock suggesting Williams and Honda are after signing Senna, and whoever gets Senna will get Petrobras backing as they want to tie with Senna. Petrobras are currently with Williams.

Senna did good at the hungaroring, he finished 3rd in both races.

I'm not completely convinced about, or the other top guys in GP2, to be really honest. Still, finances talk and Williams need to be as savvy as they can in this department.

Yeah true, but I think Senna has the best consistency out of all the other drivers. Grosjean has great talent, but horrible consistency.

Grosjean is brilliantly fast. I watched him the junior formulae and he really impressed me. Like I say, he was prone to some major gaffes. Hülkenberg is in a similar mould. With another year or two's experience, those guys will be deadly in the right equipment in Formula 1.

[al4x]

And speaking of Senna there's some rumours this weekend in the paddock suggesting Williams and Honda are after signing Senna, and whoever gets Senna will get Petrobras backing as they want to tie with Senna. Petrobras are currently with Williams.

Senna did good at the hungaroring, he finished 3rd in both races.

I'm not completely convinced about, or the other top guys in GP2, to be really honest. Still, finances talk and Williams need to be as savvy as they can in this department.

Yeah true, but I think Senna has the best consistency out of all the other drivers. Grosjean has great talent, but horrible consistency.

Grosjean is brilliantly fast. I watched him the junior formulae and he really impressed me. Like I say, he was prone to some major gaffes. Hülkenberg is in a similar mould. With another year or two's experience, those guys will be deadly in the right equipment in Formula 1.

may well end up with grosjean and piquet at renault next year if fa leaves

[McLaren Fan]

may well end up with grosjean and piquet at renault next year if fa leaves

I'm not sure what Piquet brings to Renault at the minute. In his junior career, he was nothing too special anyway. Grosjean, however, is a different matter. He's shown he has all the raw materials to make a great driver. Renault seem to be patient fairly patient with their drivers, so I'm sure Grosjean would come good not before too long.

[Rivelution]

And speaking of Senna there's some rumours this weekend in the paddock suggesting Williams and Honda are after signing Senna, and whoever gets Senna will get Petrobras backing as they want to tie with Senna. Petrobras are currently with Williams.

Senna did good at the hungaroring, he finished 3rd in both races.

I'm not completely convinced about, or the other top guys in GP2, to be really honest. Still, finances talk and Williams need to be as savvy as they can in this department.

Yeah true, but I think Senna has the best consistency out of all the other drivers. Grosjean has great talent, but horrible consistency.

Grosjean is brilliantly fast. I watched him the junior formulae and he really impressed me. Like I say, he was prone to some major gaffes. Hülkenberg is in a similar mould. With another year or two's experience, those guys will be deadly in the right equipment in Formula 1.

I think Lucas di grassi is pretty good too. He missed like the first 3 or 4 weekends of GP2 and he passed Grosjean in the points last weekend.

[texasmr2]

Anyway back to the thread's topic I think Alonso should stay where he is but then again Ross is a magician. Ross had mentioned before that '08 is basically a totall loss and he want's to concentrate on the '09 chassis.

[8-ball]

Anyway back to the thread's topic I think Alonso should stay where he is but then again Ross is a magician. Ross had mentioned before that '08 is basically a totall loss and he want's to concentrate on the '09 chassis.

Not even Ross brawn can transform the team in 1 year by himself. He needs at 2 years and someone who can provide technical feedback that helps to improve the car. I know Reubens is a nice guy but I don't think he has that in him and neither does Jenson hence the need for someone like Alonso. But I don't think ALonso will go that Ferrari seat is much more enticing

[texasmr2]

All right.

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Alonso expects no big leap from Renault

By Pablo Elizalde Tuesday, August 5th 2008, 14:09 GMT

Fernando Alonso believes Renault are unlikely to be able to match the pace of the leading teams next season, despite the regulations changes that will be introduced.

"Honestly I think it's difficult, because although there are going to be completely new rules... Next year there could be changes, but I've never seen a car that's fighting at the back one year then sweep the field the next," Alonso told Cadena Ser radio.

"It's always step by step. So it's hard to close the gap, whether it's the aerodynamics, the engine, or the tyres. Whatever our problems are, we'd have to work very hard to close that gap.

"But, to be honest, it's going to be difficult to move ahead of them (top teams), and to make a car that will be superior to theirs."

Renault, world champions in 2005 and 2006, have failed to make an impression this season and have scored just one podium in 11 races.

They are 80 points behind leaders Ferrari in the constructors' championship.

Renault's lack of form have fueled speculation about Alonso's future, with Honda Racing the latest team the Spaniard has been linked to for 2009.

The two-time champion said he welcomed the praise he has received from Honda figures recently, but he made it clear he is focused on doing his best for Renault.

"They have said a lot of good, positive things and I appreciate it," Alonso added. "But I'm still focused on this year. We are not going to throw in the towel, we are going to fight until the last lap."

If Alonso has such a lack of faith in Renault and if Honda are offering him a one-year deal with no strings attached, perhaps he may risk a move to Honda. He's not ruling it out, that's certain.

[digitaleye]

If Alonso has such a lack of faith in Renault and if Honda are offering him a one-year deal with no strings attached, perhaps he may risk a move to Honda. He's not ruling it out, that's certain.

Do you really think Alonso could take it psychologically, running around literally at the back of the pack most of the time with no hope at a podium (bar the freak occurrence)? Does he need the money that badly?

[al4x]

i really cant see it being for anything else but the money!, itd be like his minardi season again, but with money!

its a very big risk! alonso being lapped by hamilton every race, could be mega tantrums

[Martin]

i really cant see it being for anything else but the money!, itd be like his minardi season again, but with money!

its a very big risk! alonso being lapped by hamilton every race, could be mega tantrums

FA may not be lapped at every race if in Honda next year. Remember that next year the cars will be very different. I believe that Honda are putting a lot of effort into next years car, and, under Ross Bs guidance I think that they are very likely to be a strong mid field runner. Honda and Ross cannot afford to be languishing at the back for much longer, there is so much at stake I think that they will work 25 hours a day to make the new car work. I would suggest that Honda is probably the most motivated team to improve next year. That is why they would pay mega money for a driver like FA for 1 year, they have to stamp a mark, especially as it now seems that Toyota are getting it together at last. I think that FA knows all this and more, and he could leave Honda after 1 year claiming to have taken 'X' seconds a lap for Honda as he said he did for McL, and, as I suspect he will do when he leaves Renault. Maybe he is deliberately trying to create an image of being a 'master car improver', and that would help in his negotiations with Ferrari. There is no doubt that FA is good at car setting and he is clearly very useful to a team in setting up and improving the car, but he does claim to be solely responsible for these improvements when, of course, he is not. But still, I have slightly changed my mind, in the absence of a fast drive, this actually could be a good move for FA, and not even much of a risk if a Ferrari drive for 2010 is in the pot. It will probably pay better than Renault, so cash is also a big factor I think.

[Jabberwocky]

I agree that honda are hiding something. when is the last time any of them said anything about their KERS project? this is the first car that Brawn has had complete control over, it will not be a world beater, but it will be less of a ride on mower than this years model

I think the Honda position will work well for FA.

[McLaren Fan]

If Alonso has such a lack of faith in Renault and if Honda are offering him a one-year deal with no strings attached, perhaps he may risk a move to Honda. He's not ruling it out, that's certain.

Do you really think Alonso could take it psychologically, running around literally at the back of the pack most of the time with no hope at a podium (bar the freak occurrence)? Does he need the money that badly?

Why are you taking a dig at my suggestion? Alonso has said Renault suck and have no prospects of success anytime soon. Therefore, as he seems to be saying, by leaving Renault he would be losing nothing, so perhaps it's worth taking a risk on Honda. Further, where does the money come into all this? If Honda are only offering him $15 million - half of his pay demand - he would be taking a 50% pay cut!

[deMuRe]

I think this would be a great move for Alonso, Ross Brawn is a clever man and he knows how to lead a team.

[digitaleye]

Why are you taking a dig at my suggestion? Alonso has said Renault suck and have no prospects of success anytime soon. Therefore, as he seems to be saying, by leaving Renault he would be losing nothing, so perhaps it's worth taking a risk on Honda. Further, where does the money come into all this? If Honda are only offering him $15 million - half of his pay demand - he would be taking a 50% pay cut!

Not digging, just asking a question. You're correct about the money issue, I hadn't realized how much Renault are paying him right now . As for the original question I believe Alonso answered it himself in the original quoted article. Alonso told Cadena Ser radio." I've never seen a car that's fighting at the back one year then sweep the field the next," That fits Honda much more than Renault this year.