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[sagi58]

That's an interesting comment! We'll have to wait patiently see if you're right!

[Roth]

I am convinced that If Alonso fails to win a championship for Ferrari, the story will be he wasn't a good enough driver, never that Ferrari would be unable to make a winning car. The next couple of years will be telling.

You mean the Ferrari story or the general concensus?

Despite people's aversion to Schumacher's success you can never point to another driver of that era who deserved a title more on pure talent. Hill should have had '94 or Kimi '03, but you wouldn't say they were superior drivers floundering in lesser cars. Alonso does seem cursed to find himself constantly in not quite the best team. I bet he was rubbish at musical chairs as a kid. That might be his legacy. Let's hope not though.

[LewEngBridewell]

I am convinced that If Alonso fails to win a championship for Ferrari, the story will be he wasn't a good enough driver, never that Ferrari would be unable to make a winning car. The next couple of years will be telling.

Are you asking the tifosi that question, or F1 fans in general? Because Ferrari have CLEARLY been unable to make a (consistently) winning car over the past few seasons.

[LRW]

I am convinced that If Alonso fails to win a championship for Ferrari, the story will be he wasn't a good enough driver, never that Ferrari would be unable to make a winning car. The next couple of years will be telling.

Are you asking the tifosi that question, or F1 fans in general? Because Ferrari have CLEARLY been unable to make a (consistently) winning car over the past few seasons.

He wasnt asking a question.

[LewEngBridewell]

I am convinced that If Alonso fails to win a championship for Ferrari, the story will be he wasn't a good enough driver, never that Ferrari would be unable to make a winning car. The next couple of years will be telling.

Are you asking the tifosi that question, or F1 fans in general? Because Ferrari have CLEARLY been unable to make a (consistently) winning car over the past few seasons.

He wasnt asking a question.

Yes mate, I know, I know, I KNOW.

I was just saying that the opinion would be different depending whose opinion on the matter was being sought.

[What's Burning?]

I am convinced that If Alonso fails to win a championship for Ferrari, the story will be he wasn't a good enough driver, never that Ferrari would be unable to make a winning car. The next couple of years will be telling.

Are you asking the tifosi that question, or F1 fans in general? Because Ferrari have CLEARLY been unable to make a (consistently) winning car over the past few seasons.

He wasnt asking a question.

Yes mate, I know, I know, I KNOW.

I was just saying that the opinion would be different depending who's opinion on the matter was being sought.

Well there's only one opinion that matters obviously. That's the opinion of the sports most winning, most decorated team. Time will tell how they write the history of Alonso should he not present them with a championship. I think Alonso is a pretty damed good driver but he was brought to Ferrari for one thing, and one thing only.

[sagi58]

... I think Alonso is a pretty damed good driver but he was brought to Ferrari for one thing, and one thing only.

And they (i.e. the team = Alonso + Ferrari) have a lot of work ahead of them to ensure that he does win the WDC!!

[sagi58]

 wrote:">Di Montezemolo voices support for Alonso

22 May 2014 – Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has publicly praised Fernando Alonso's contribution to the team.

Alonso made controversial comments ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, questioning why – after praise from Mercedes chiefs Dieter Zetsche and Toto Wolff – those "close" to the Spaniard had criticised him.

The remarks are said to have come from sections of the media, as opposed to members of Ferrari.

"It's always welcome when people see your job in a good way," he said. "It's sometimes strange to see good comments from people from the outside, and the opposite from people who are supposed to be close to you."

But di Montezemolo, seemingly speaking in response to the negativity, explained: "Fernando is the best driver in the world, who always gives 200 per cent in the races. He knows how much I count on him, even away from the race track, in terms of his contribution and the impetus he gives to the team.

"I think it's incredible that there are still some so-called experts who don't understand that and are always looking for a polemical situation that simply doesn't exist."

He added: "The truth is that he and Kimi [Räikkönen], another incredible driver, need a competitive Ferrari and giving them that is our sole objective.

"We are working very hard, starting with [Team Principal] Marco Mattiacci, who knows what needs to be done and who will instigate many changes at a technical and organisational level and in speeding up the decision making process. That's what I want, as do our drivers and our fans, while all the rest is just idle chat."

[What's Burning?]

Alonso is going to be the starter for this year's Le Mans.

[Roth]

Being at the front of the grid will make a nice change for him.

Actually does Le Mans have a grid or is it men running at cars?

[sagi58]

Support, gentlemen, support!!

[What's Burning?]

Actually does Le Mans have a grid or is it men running at cars?

What century do you think we live in?

[sagi58]

Actually does Le Mans have a grid or is it men running at cars?

What century do you think we live in?

[sagi58]

, Ben Anderson wrote:">Alonso: Red Bull win gives Ferrari hope

Fernando Alonso believes it is still possible for Ferrari to win a Formula 1 race this season, because of Red Bull's unexpected success in the Canadian Grand Prix.

The double world champion has scored only one podium in seven grands prix this year, as Ferrari has struggled to make the F14 T competitive.

Those struggles continued in Canada, though a spate of retirements allowed Alonso to finish a "lucky" sixth.

But the Spaniard reckons the Scuderia can draw hope from the way Red Bull recovered from a disastrous pre-season to end Mercedes' dominant run by capitalising on reliability issues for Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in Montreal.

"Like we've seen in Canada, anything can happen," said Alonso when asked whether he felt Ferrari could win a race this season, despite its lack of speed.

"Who would've thought Red Bull would win a race so soon after winter testing?

"Mercedes was so dominant, but they had mechanical issues, so you need to be there to take the opportunities and Red Bull was there.

"That gives us motivation and shows us how things can change during a race weekend - it can be the weather, safety car, many different factors.

"Can we win a race this year? Yes, anything can happen."

[LRW]

BBC Sport wrote:">Fernando Alonso plans Le Mans move after F1

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso wants to race at the Le Mans endurance classic after ending his Formula 1 career.

The Spanish double world champion, 32, waved the flag to start the Le Mans 24 Hours last weekend and said it had firmed up a plan to race there he already had in mind. "To win the Le Mans 24 Hours means a lot to any driver, so one day hopefully I will race there," he said. "I think I will - that's 100% decided. But I need to wait until I finish F1."

Alonso re-iterated that he wanted to win at least one more title before stopping F1. "Le Mans requires some test, some training and some dedication," Alonso said. "I am a person who if I decide to do something I do it 100%; I don't do it 50-50.
"So first I will try to do some more years in F1, try to win championships, try to help Ferrari but after that I won't be able to sit on the sofa, and endurance is a category you can race when you are a little bit older with no big problems. That will be my intention."

Former grand prix driver Mark Webber, a friend of Alonso's, quit F1 at the end of last season to move to endurance racing with Porsche. He raced at Le Mans 24 Hours last weekend, and the Porsche 919 Hybrid he shared with Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley led in the closing stages of the race before engine problems ended their hopes late on.

Alonso said that he could make the move with Ferrari, whose president Luca Di Montezemolo is considering entering the company into the top sports-prototype class, where Le Mans winners Audi, Porsche and Toyota currently compete.

Ferrari won a lower category with its 458 car last weekend, with ex-F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella among its driver line-up.
"We have talked many times with president Montezemolo about this matter because he is very passionate about the Le Mans," he said. "He enjoyed very much the win of the 458 with Fisichella, with Gianmaria Bruni this year, and I know there is some thinking about coming back with a big car.

"It is not in the short term because now we need to put in place the F1 project and we need to win here."
Alonso said he did not think Ferrari would be able to challenge at the front in F1 this season and would be better to use this year to build towards 2015. Asked whether Ferrari could win this season, Alonso said: "No, that would not be realistic. This year we are definitely in a position we are not happy with.
"Mercedes is dominating by a big margin and we are aware of this.
"We need to put in place some of the things where we are weak at the moment, improve in different areas.
"We need to use Fridays to test experimental parts and we need to use the rest of this championship for preparation probably."