Yup, I know if I go online I will be exposed to the results of a race I Tivo'ed, so I just avoid it.

This race I watched and I am glad Kimi won but was also fine if LH won, just didn't want FA to win.

NOTE:
"Alonso is a class act in every respect. I very much appreciate his sportsmanship," Montezemolo is quoted by the news agency EFE as saying on Tuesday.

He added: "Despite losing the title by a single point and perhaps only due to the mismanagement of his team, he arrived at the press conference and immediately congratulated Raikkonen. He showed that is he also a champion off the track," Montezemolo said.:eek:

Give me a break. Class is the last thing this boy has!!

Looks like Ferrari is positioning themselves to get Fernando in the future. I guess I will not be buying a Ferrari in the near future (oh yeah, that was already the case before this year)...

Where ever Fernando goes, I will support the other team.
Kind of like in basketball: I am either a Laker fan, or a fan of any team that is up against the Boston Celtics...;)

NOTE:
"Alonso is a class act in every respect. I very much appreciate his sportsmanship," Montezemolo is quoted by the news agency EFE as saying on Tuesday.

He added: "Despite losing the title by a single point and perhaps only due to the mismanagement of his team, he arrived at the press conference and immediately congratulated Raikkonen. He showed that is he also a champion off the track," Montezemolo said.:eek:

Give me a break. Class is the last thing this boy has!!

Montezemolo: " You are being played!!!"

Looks like Ferrari is positioning themselves to get Fernando in the future. I guess I will not be buying a Ferrari in the near future (oh yeah, that was already the case before this year)...

Where ever Fernando goes, I will support the other team.
Kind of like in basketball: I am either a Laker fan, or a fan of any team that is up against the Boston Celtics...;)

You know, I am not so upset with FA as some of you are. In my mind, all of these guys are pretty high strung princesses, with entourage's that blow so much sunshine up their rears that their eyes shine, and you sort of have to take the personality with the achievement.

FA clearly feels hard done by at McLaren, but then again, Ron is not the easiest guy in the world to get along with, who knows what was in the conversation and informal agreements prior to Fernando going to McLaren and what sorts of little things, real or percieved, have taken place to cause his statement.

I guess I don't like the fact that Fernando whines about his team in public, but his driving is fine, he appears to be gentlemanly even when complaining and he shows some grace and consideration. His delaying in Hungary was a BAD thing in my mind, let's see if it is an isolated incident or whether he actually does turn into a schlemiel..

Same with Raikkonen, except of course, Kimi seems to have the "keep mouth shut" trick mastered a lot better than most.

Lewis, well, he is young and very much sucking up a lot...very normal....but I suspect we will see chinks and cracks in the persona over time and so what? His driving is excellent, he tries to be gracious (I suspect his dad would spank him if he didn't) and he hasn't done too many silly things (Hungary excepted).

I more or less have no problem with any of these guys, where I get a problem is when their on-track work and actions becomes unfair...that is why I can never forgive Schumacher for his two ramming attempts and his Monte Carlo deal....that sort of stuff is just low, I don't care if you are world champion or not. Once is an error in judgement...more than that is character.

Dennis

Anyone care to make some predictions of who will replace Alonso at McLaren?

The obvious choice would be Pedro moving back into the seat. Is Kovalianen locked up at Renault? Maybe Sutil or Vettil? Seems as though they didn't go through the silly season this year.

The only person that's more of a douchbag than Alonso is Montezemolo. JMHO.

One of my favorite quotes from last year was when Montezelmole hugged Schumacher after a win when everyone knew he was going to announce his retirement. I forget which of the Speed guys said it but it was a comment on Schumacher's expression during the hug, "my cat looks like that when I try to hug him."

Kimi's got some personality :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK3BrGOIwxI

See, that's what I wassaying. There is an 'interview' Kimi that you normally see when he is in professional mode, but there is also the normal side of Kimi that you don't see. Well not often.
There is no doubt in my mind that Kimi would be a very entertaining guy to have a beer or twelve with.

After more than 12 and then this ...LOL...the guy has it good. Best job in the world, millions for doing it, a hot wife (see her in the video about 1:00 minutes into it, why I think it is Kimi in the vid)...and everytime he gets drunk there is a camera around...check out the other Kimi videos too. I don't think Kimi and his buddies think he's boring. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rzQExlOTrI

+1

And third comes Jean Todt. I am Italian, born and raised... but since JT, MS and LdM came to Ferrari I started disliking the team, their tactics and their "win at all costs" mantra.

I understand the economic reasoning and well done to them for having brought back Ferrari (Italian pride here) to being the most prestigeous car manufacturer in the World...

Still I wanted to puke after what Montezemolo said about Alonso...\

Plus everybody in Italy knows that Montezemolo is where he is because he is the illegitimate son of Gianni Agnelli... Now you can't say he didn't do a good job when he got there.. but then u needed to look at what his predecessors did before him (and that includes Enzo... an wonderful person and charismatic leader that had no clue abt how to run a business efficiently)

Agree totally.

But from what I have read Enzo (although charismatic and an enigma), was really tough on his drivers. He was also tough on his clients that bought street cars. Although always cool with his sunglasses...

I have always liked Kimi.. he is a GREAT driver who has had some very bad luck with the Mercedes. I am glad he has won his long awaited title.
He is a rare bird... that is one of the many reasons I like the guy!

Well he's off....

Out of his contract with McLaren...and no team as yet...back to Renault and 'his team'...whi get rid of Fisi and keep Kovi?

Toyota....

or BMW?

Of these Renault would appear to offer the best team, not necessarily the best car...

BMW have a new Chief Designer, promoted from the ranks.....so do Honda... the ex.BMW chief..

And what of McLaren's winter testing....LH in his first development cycle with PDR, who has been there for a few years now....

Interesting stuff.

If I were Alonso's manager, I would try for a seat with BMW. Robert Kubica, who has been friendly with Hami, would make a good team mate for Hami. Alonso in a BMW would be a good combination IMO. Flav will take him back if all else fails.

I still think Heidfeld to McLaren.

BMW is interesting....but who would he replace?

Nick H...he has done quite well this year, but is no longer a rookie he is the 'experienced' one in the team....

RK? Where would he go... McLaren would be ill served by having two junior drivers, as would BMW having two experience drivers.. so...Aerkuld just beat me to it...

However I think Renault still offer a better team..and they are not that far off the pace....

A little detail in this article...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7074737.stm


...but still no answers!

I would think that Ron D. doesn't see Hami as the "rookie" so adding the likes of Kubica who will get along with his golden boy may be a good mix for Macca. Robert isn't really a rookie either, and where are they going to find a true senior driver that can hand them a trophy like Alonso is capable of?

Robert has a contract with BMW, but do contracts really mean they won't swap drivers? Ferrari is not going to give up a driver, and Renault is technically unable to satify Alonso, so if you are Alonso's manager, would you put him in a Renault? Or a Toyota to replace Ralf? Or maybe Team India? No to Renault until BMW says go away. Definitely no to the others because they can't produce a technically capable challenger. Alonso has to find a winable car or he'll be forgotten in 2008 because he won't finish higher than 5th on a good track day.