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[darwin dali]

We have John Doe here in the US

[przemo]

It was a perfect change of luck for Alonso after troubles in Q2 which made his chances of a good result practically gone. It's funny how you can never predict such things. The safety car probably helped him, but still it's a great result. I'm happy for Fernando, it really makes up for the whole year.

[al4x]

our internet is off for a month great timing

this may be the only day i get on!

so yes, best race of the season!

alonso was threatening all weekend, if it wasnt for the bad luck with the fuel pressure he would have been up there

great to see renault win a race

i was a bit, 'emotional' after that and just wanted all those laps at the end to be gone, esp when kini let the water out that barrier doh!

wahoo!

[EwanM]

our internet is off for a month great timing

this may be the only day i get on!

so yes, best race of the season!

alonso was threatening all weekend, if it wasnt for the bad luck with the fuel pressure he would have been up there

great to see renault win a race

i was a bit, 'emotional' after that and just wanted all those laps at the end to be gone, esp when kini let the water out that barrier doh!

wahoo!

Indeed it was Al4x from a Renault point of view!

Renault trust Alonso will stay on

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, September 30th 2008, 12:04 GMT


Renault technical director Bob Bell is confident that his team have done everything they can to convince Fernando Alonso to stay on board for next season.

The French car manufacturer ended their two-year victory drought in Singapore when Alonso made the most of a well-timed safety car period to triumph in F1's first night race.

And although Alonso says he is still weighing up his options for 2009, with BMW Sauber and Honda Racing both interested in his services, Bell thinks that Renault have now done enough to erase any doubts Alonso may have about their ultimate potential.

"I am sure, to be perfectly honest, he (Alonso) would probably rather be sitting in a Ferrari or McLaren and, in the back of the mind, feels that for next year," Bell told autosport.com.

"But I think we have gone not just to a lot of effort on the track to prove to him that this team is on the way back up again, but also with our facilities in the factory, and what we are doing, how we are organised, to show him this team are serious about winning.

"We are not in this to make up the midfield - and I hope we have done enough to convince him to stay with us. I think we have. But I don't know."

Bell believes that the progress the team have made with the R28 this year is evidence that they are on course to return as genuine front-runners in 2009.

"I think if you just look at the simple numbers – say the Q2 gap between our quickest driver and the quickest guy in Q2, we've gone from more than a second lap in Melbourne down to, we didn't get in here, but prior to this race it was down to four tenths," said Bell.

"So we made a nice steady progress, which is what we have been aiming to do all year. And we still stick by our objectives – we have to finish fourth in the championship, we have to be able to split the BMWs and occasionally fight for a podium. That is what we are all about this year."

When asked if he felt they were now in a position to match the pace of BMW Sauber, Bell said: "It ebbs and flows a little bit depending on the circuit, but on a good day we can be a match for them with Fernando."

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[Hanwombat]

We have John Doe here in the US

I chat to him also

[darwin dali]

We have John Doe here in the US

I chat to him also

Man, you're such a loose woman

[bjsulla]

I looks like he is in good shape

[Ferrarista]

Fernando Alonso is the best driver on the grid. Better than Hamilton - because of his experience -, better than Raikkonen - because of his attitude -, better than Massa - because of his better total package of talent. That's my opinion.

I have to admit I hated this guy because of beating my idol - Michael Schumacher - but I've always said he was the coming man, and after two championships won, I still think he's the best driver. Give him the right weapon to fight with, and you'll see he would be the greatest opponent ! Do I like him as a driver...yes. As a person ...no. But hey, I had that same feeling about some german champion back in 1994 ...

[headless]

Fernando Alonso is the best driver on the grid. Better than Hamilton - because of his experience -, better than Raikkonen - because of his attitude -, better than Massa - because of his better total package of talent. That's my opinion.

I'll second that

[McLaren Fan]

Fernando Alonso is the best driver on the grid. Better than Hamilton - because of his experience -, better than Raikkonen - because of his attitude -, better than Massa - because of his better total package of talent. That's my opinion.

I have to admit I hated this guy because of beating my idol - Michael Schumacher - but I've always said he was the coming man, and after two championships won, I still think he's the best driver. Give him the right weapon to fight with, and you'll see he would be the greatest opponent ! Do I like him as a driver...yes. As a person ...no. But hey, I had that same feeling about some german champion back in 1994 ...

Do you remember those cards you used to get when you were a kid which had a picture of of character in whatever it was and statistics on their strengths and weaknesses? The same type of thing could be done for Alonso et al. For instance:

Alonso

Speed: 8/10
Overtaking: 8/10
Defensive driving: 8/10
Car development: 8/10
Fitness: 9/10
Experience: 9/10
Work ethic: 9/10
TOTAL: 59

Raikkonen

Speed: 9.5/10
Overtaking: 7/10
Defensive driving : 7/10
Car development: 5/10
Fitness: 5/10
Experience: 8.5/10
Work ethic: 5/10
TOTAL: 47

Now, all of those are not accurate, nor are they meant to be, but you can see what I mean. There are some areas at which other drivers may be better than Alonso, but they are badly deficient in others. Alonso, however, is consistently very good, so is the better all-round package.

[stonemonkey]

TOP TRUMPS!

[f1ea]

Yay Go Fernando. He was the most amazing driver on S'pore... Massa as well, but the spygate ghost is hounting Ferrari this yr.

I still think Fernando deserves and soon will be fighting for the championship. This yr without him, it has been a rather mediocre battle (although with a few very good performances) between the top 4 guys able to. Plus his winning rituals are the coolest... Miss those

But soon he'll get that 3rd... He's a young guy, no need to despair.

[EwanM]

Yay Go Fernando. He was the most amazing driver on S'pore... Massa as well, but the spygate ghost is hounting Ferrari this yr.

I still think Fernando deserves and soon will be fighting for the championship. This yr without him, it has been a rather mediocre battle (although with a few very good performances) between the top 4 guys able to. Plus his winning rituals are the coolest... Miss those

But soon he'll get that 3rd... He's a young guy, no need to despair.

Well no disrespect to the title rivals but this years championship has missed Alonso in many ways. Even though they are in Pole Position i think Mclaren miss Alonso in a way - certainly on a constructors footing. Who knows he may have wrapped it up by now with Ferrari's antics.

I know people will say - what about Kubica/Vettel surely they are just as good.
Of course, but we didn't know their full potential at the start of the year - we do now.

As much as I want Alonso back up there - id love him to do it in a Renault. Would be great to have a 3 way battle.
Renault wouldn't win the Constructors tho - not even Kovy would look that bad if Piquet still in the team

[racechick]

Yay Go Fernando. He was the most amazing driver on S'pore... Massa as well, but the spygate ghost is hounting Ferrari this yr.

I still think Fernando deserves and soon will be fighting for the championship. This yr without him, it has been a rather mediocre battle (although with a few very good performances) between the top 4 guys able to. Plus his winning rituals are the coolest... Miss those

But soon he'll get that 3rd... He's a young guy, no need to despair.

Well no disrespect to the title rivals but this years championship has missed Alonso in many ways. Even though they are in Pole Position i think Mclaren miss Alonso in a way - certainly on a constructors footing. Who knows he may have wrapped it up by now with Ferrari's antics.

I know people will say - what about Kubica/Vettel surely they are just as good.
Of course, but we didn't know their full potential at the start of the year - we do now.

As much as I want Alonso back up there - id love him to do it in a Renault. Would be great to have a 3 way battle.
Renault wouldn't win the Constructors tho - not even Kovy would look that bad if Piquet still in the team

Three way battle would be mega, and yes Alonso in the Renault( with an upgraded engine), would be cool. I think Kubica's potential was crystal clear at the beginning of the year , Vettel.....jury still out for me.

[McLaren Fan]

i think Mclaren miss Alonso in a way - certainly on a constructors footing.

Too right.