Snakes and Ladders

Just thinking about Fernando and the latest speculation about where he might be next season, it struck me that there can have been few drivers in Formula One over the years whose future has been so openly debated.

Fernando always seems to be a step ahead of himself and, for some reason, never quite happy where he is. Of course most drivers in uncompetitive cars dream of a seat in one of the top two teams but you don't hear much about it, whereas Fernando's "next move" always seems to be common knowledge.

He started at Minardi which I guess was a "ladder", giving him his first taste of Formula One and giving him the chance to show what he could do. Turning down a move to Ferrari, he joined Renault which started as a "ladder" and remained one even though he had signed for McLaren at the end of 2005. Then he joined McLaren which looked like a "ladder" to start with but turned into a venomous "python". Then he returned to Renault which is surely turning into another "snake"(not so poisonous as the last one).

The next move he wants to make should be a "ladder" - going to Maranello. But who knows if that will happen and whether the Italian "ladder" could turn out to be another "snake". (It could depend on how Domenicali gets on and the competitiveness of the cars; it could depend on who Fernando's team-mate is and how Fernando handles the relationship).

All of the above seems to underline again that Fernando(a great driver), has not been managed as well as he should have been...   

Comments

[B Cave]

Yes, very true Ed. Alonso blabs so much in public and yet moans whenever anyone else does. He never seems happy in whatever team he's in - miserable sod! I would love to see him move to Super Aguri - what sort of snake would that be I wonder? An anaconda I think. Ha ha.

[D]

^

It sort of depends on what (and whom) one perceives to be the ladder the snake.

I prefer tigers, myself...

[Pinaster]

Mr. Gorman, have a look.
Some pearls of the day, 25/3/08:

“G, Alonso's blatant arrogance is no surprise to me…”
Stuart, Sutton Coldfield, UK

“If he did that he'd earn respect for being a man instead of contempt for being a spoiled brat.”
Douglas, London, England

“a sucker playing the three-card trick.”
Douglas, London, England

“What a treacherous little rat.”
Ubi, Edinburgh, UK

“I wouldn't touch Alonso with a barge-pole. He's always blabbing his mouth off and is utterly disloyal”
Posted by: A Parker.

“miserable sod! “
Posted by: B Cave

Are this those “horrible” insults you were referring to? |

[el escocés]

Alonso is very 'Asturiano', hard headed and doesn't think much when he speaks. It's true that to some degree his manager has failed to, well, manage him properly.

I think he needs to sit down and ask himself why a double world champion, still in his prime, is fighting for 8th place in a F1 race. His career should never have come to this.

I just can't see him in a Ferrari, not with Kimi there - most likely a double world champion also - he's too conflictive and Ferrari know that. BMW, Toyota or Honda I say, but I think he has ruined his chance to make more history.

[Felipe]

I think it's a bit hard to say Alonso is starting all sorts of rumours. When all he has done is answer direct questions, and then his answers taken all over town. They have even created two blog posts without actually having said he wants to go to Ferrari.

Alonso made one mistake by going to McLaren. There is no doubt there, and now he's paying for that mistake, but after last year, he's actually happy. That says a lot, fighting for tenth but happy. He will be back, not sure when, but that talent will make him go to a better team, or make Renault competitive.

And comparing Schumacher staying at Ferrari with Alonso staying at Renault is ridiculous. Ferrari is a massive team with loads of money, whereas Renault is a small team. The potential of both teams is not comparable.

[Juan]

The idea of FA is quite simple. His personal idol is Ayrton Senna. He always dreamt of winning championships with Mclaren. This was his dream since he raced with karts.

The first year of beeing in Mclaren he told the press, he would be in F1 for only 3/4 years more. HE though in retairing when he is 28 years old with 2 another tournaments won with Mclaren. He always said he would not stand as long as Schumacher, for example.

And that´s it. I think he didnt expect the team spirit of Dennis-Hamilton.

Lets see whats he is going to do now.

Domenicalli is a very close friend of Alonso. So he desires to have the spaniard in the team. Raikkonen assumed it would be great to have Alonso as a teammate. The great problem of FA-Ferrari was the confrontation with Jean Todt-Massa familiy. Now it´s over, at least it should be.

Alonso went to Renault because it was the only team who offered him a one-year contract. Thats it.

[Harry Lime]

Just thinking about Ronaldo (the Brazilian fat one, not the Portuguese skinny one)

Ronaldo and the latest speculation about where he might be next season, it struck me that there can have been few fotball players over the years whose future has been so openly debated.

Ronaldo always seems to be a step ahead of himself and, for some reason, never quite happy where he is. Of course most fotball players in uncompetitive teams dream of a place in one of the top two teams but you don't hear much about it, whereas Ronaldo's "next move" always seems to be common knowledge.

He started at Cruzeiro which I guess was a "ladder", giving him his first taste of first division and giving him the chance to show what he could do. He joined PSV Eindhoven which started as a "ladder" and remained one even though he had signed for Barcelona at the end of 1995. Then he joined Inter which looked like a "ladder" to start with but turned into a venomous "python". Then he returned to Spanish footbal, to Real Madrid, which surely turned into another "snake"(not so poisonous as the last one), before leaving for another "ladder", AC Milan.

Just thinking about Cristian Vieri (Torino, Atletico, Juventus, Inter, Lazio, AC Milan, etc).

You know what?, now I am just thinking about about Paul Gascoigne (Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio, Glasgow Rangers, Middlesbrough, etc), about ..., you know who, about those suckers playing the three-card trick ...

[Chris]

I think you've made an astute comment about him being poorly managed, it's done him more harm than good.

I suspect other teams will be looking at him differently after the events at McLaren and Alonso may well find that some doors are now closed to him.

It's a great shame as it overshadows a remarkable talent.

[Gary]

If Ferrari does not happen I would not be surprised to see Alonso head for the US for a couple of seasons there. Would do him good to get out of F1 for two years. Maybe then he could come back to Ferrari with his bad reputation fixed somewhat by a successful and quiet time in the states.

Plus of course it would be huge bonus that many of our more excitable Spanish friends might also leave us alone for a couple of seasons!!

On a related note - Pinaster, I feel a little left out that I have no "horrible" insults in your new "Alonso watch" feature. I will endeavor to say something worthy enough to be included in the next installment. What about...

"Fernando Alonso has shifty looking eyes."

Or "He walks a bit like a girl"

[MANOLO : PUCELA : SPAIN]

Clearly, Fernando had to do his best using ladders to get to the top.

Bad managed? with a couple of championships!! ? Maybe.. the problem was that his last """"partner""" had a great manager since his childhood named Ron. Imagine Alonso starting in a MacLa instead of Minardi?

Be sure, for Alonso, MacLaren was the last step of his career.

I understand a driver like Alonso is a problem for you in a team like Ferrari. Don´t worry about Alonso, its more interesting to talk about.. for example... why Lewis made an awful weekend? maybe because there was no EXPERIENCED driver to do the dirty work of fixing the car?

Alonso isn't now his partner and this race De la Rosa was next to her wife, waiting for his new baby born.

THAT's MUCH MORE INTERESTING THAN TALKING ABOUT NEXT SEASON.

[JoseBelgica]

Ed,
what is your obsession with Fernando Alonso and his whereabouts?
Good to know that you always remember us how miserable, how unmanaged etc etc Alonso is. But remember..."it doesn't matter how bad they talk about you, what is really important is that they talk about you".

Another question.. why do you always come with this articles about Alonso whenever LHamilton has a bad weekend performance ? ;-)

Unmanaged? Two times champion unmanaged? He gave up Ferrari's offer (after minardi) because he didn't want to become the number two in Ferrary (schumaker). Instead he moved to Renault and he retired M Schumaker.
Do not underestimate Alonso! Everything he does has a purpose.

[Chris G]

In response to El Escocés:
Would be curious to see him in a Honda with Button as team mate. Not a combination that would have occurred to me. That would be interesting I think. I also think that a forward thinking driver would see definite potential in the Honda/Brawn combo.

[jordi]

The only mistake was to go to Mclaren. I dont think other teams have closed the door to Alonso, most people know what happen in Montecarlo, Hungary etc etc. Most people know who has been investigated for spying and who isn't.

[spanish]

The British press is lying.
FIA, mclaren wanted alonso not win in 2007 because it is Spanish.
Alonso is the best.
Hamilton is a good driver, but Alonso and the best driver.
Alonso is sincere
Hamilton is not sincere and says lies.
In hungria hamilton was to blame for failure to comply with orders of equipment.
Alonso in monaco 3 laps more fuel hamilton hamilton and said he had more fuel (a lie from hamilton).
English qiere not many people who earn Alonso proque is Spanish.
The British teneis envy that Alonso is the best pilot in the world.
Mclaren in Antalya from Istanbul belgica brazil and china fuji manipulated Alonso's car to make it slow the car.
USA hamilton changed three times what his favorite drawn when trying to advance.
The gesture of Alonso in the USA was not a gesture of frustration, mclaren prevented Alonso advanced to play sports.
The British press has said many lies of Alonso and spain.
The Spanish fans is not racist.
The English fans are arrogant, deceitful and envious.
Hamilton wants to be as Alonso, but could not because Alonso is the best.
The best Alonso.
Alonso at Renault in 2005 and 2006 did not have the best car and won.
FIA helped Hamilton.
Hamilton was not able to win, jajajaja.
The English Press is paranoid.
Alonso lies not digais
Not digais lies of the Spanish people.
Alonso ferrari 2009 ?¿?¿?¿ yesssss jajajaja.
Alonso Ferrari world champion in 2009, 2010 2011 ... etc. .....
Alonso the Best Forever

[Señor Lobo]

It is crystal clear that Alonso is a great pilot. Two world championships the Formula 1 are not won by luck. Others, however, they still have to show that they have cold blood and that they can of don't staying hooked in the gravel, jejeje. Salu2.

[Johnny P-)]

I fully agree: Fernando's manager should have known better about RD and his predictable intentions for him to be pushed back in favor for LH.

LH is not to be blamed for this but at least, he should have demonstrated some fairness towards his team mate last season, not just nice words towards the Gallery.

Good luck to everybody.

[Txus G.R.]

Great "fireworks"!

What better these days that things are slow,without races,than to start a war?

Ed,is "The Times" your "ladder" to reach "The Sun"?..Don't give up now mate,you're almost there!

I have to say that you're as "honest" as Lewis,but certainly not "genuine" or "authentic".

Yeah!,you two have a lot of things in common:You're both the rookies of the year,you're both masters on pyrotechnics and cheap propaganda...Do you play guitar too Ed? No,I think you play better the flute...

Like in the book "The Pied Piper of Hamelin":

In 2008,while the town of "The Times" was suffering from a rat infestation (Alonso's "fundamentalists"),a man dressed in colourful garments appeared (Ed Gorman),claiming to be a rat-catcher.

He promised the townsmen (Lewis's "well-mannered-managed-advised" fans) a solution for their problem with the rats.The townsmen in turn promised to pay him for the removal of the rats.The man accepted,and thus played a musical pipe to lure the rats with a song into The Thames river,where all of them drowned.

Despite his success,the people reneged on their promise (Like Lewis did in Hungaroring BTW) and refused to pay the rat-catcher.

The man left the town angrily,but returned some time later seeking revenge....

You all know how the story ends.

Beware Ed,you do the dirty job and you're never gonna get paid for that.And remeber that your reputation,as journalist,is at stake all the time and not only in the UK.

And beware too citizens worldwide of this kind of journalism.The same old tactics that you enjoy today you may suffer them tomorrow.

Regards.

[Gary]

Ed, Please. Can we stop posting the drivel that some of our Spanish children are writing? At first it was amusing, then it became tedious, now it is damn well annoying.

Your blog was an interesting experiment and had a lot of promise but I never counted on the fact that so many imbeciles would read it and want to contribute.

I would welcome some passionate debate, some healthy banter as to the merits of the teams and drivers in this years competition. But some of our contributers from Spain are behaving (and possibly are) like 12 year old children. The absolute rubbish that are contained in some of these posts should be an embarrassment to anybody from Spain.

I mean it, I am getting very very bored of it.

[cayel]

Is not that what every team wants? An always nonconformist pilot, trying to get the best of his car and team? Who has been the champion twice (and with a Renault)? Is he just a great driver, like Ed said? Is all this question because he is Spanish? What would happen if English?

[Jean]

Wow Ed! Now you have used some bibliography to prove you are right when saying Alonso has not been well managed. That's amazing.

Why don't you try to be a journalist and not a preacher. You seem to be trying people to have your same opinion about Alonso. Please just talk about facts not about suppositions coming from your devious mind.

Alonso's goal, as any other drivers', is that of winning races and championships and for that you have to have a good car and if you want to change team to get that, it's fair enough. You can forget about ladders and snakes (they are in your imagination). What it has happened is clear:
-Alonso starts at Minardi and then goes to Renault, where he eventually gets a competitive car and wins 2 championships.
-As any other driver would, he signs for a great team, McLaren (I may agree with you Ed here that Alonso announced this too early) where he finds a very odd situation: a team supporting both drivers is ok, but it's not logic for a team to give more support in many aspects to the second driver than to the first one, especially if they both are doing well (if you want my opinion, it's a huge mistake not to work as a team for the benefit of everyone. If they had given Alonso his place, he would have won the WDC long before the end of the season. As McLaren decided on supporting a rookie and racing a world champion, in the end the inexperience gave results: NOTHING)
-After leaving McLaren, Alonso wants a good car / team, Ferrari being the best, but he has to wait for his time. As it wasn't this year, he has chosen for Renault: a good place to be happy (and he says everywhere and everyone he feels really happy now, and you know Ed though you don't want to tell it here) while his opportunity arrives.

Is this a career that has not been well managed? I don't think so.

Please Ed, stop talking nonsense and spend your time writing seriuos journalism (this is the sports section not the gossip pages).

[Nadie]

I have had enough of this crap. I thought that this season was going to be different, and we could enjoy about driving and talk about that, but it seems clear that sensationalistic rubbish generates more traffic = more money by advertising.

I'm deleting your blog of my RSS reader. Good luck.

For the record here it's the original interview which pretendly shows how unloyal Fernando is.

http://www.as.com/motor/articulo/formula-automovilismo-deportes/dasmot/20080324dasdaimot_2/Tes

[alex]

Let us pray that Vettel's 2008 season is strong enough to make his progress to Ferrari automatic. We will then get immense pleasure out of seeing Alonso forced to stay in the rubbish Renault team he is already [after 2 races....] slagging off.

As Renault no longer get tyres made specifically for the team and lead drivers exact wishes, as coincidentally, we no longer have the French tyre manufacturer in F1, therefore, I predict they will stay forever in the midfield. The tyre advantage was a massive help in FA's 2 WDC's, would he have managed it with an even playing field ?

While to some this may be proof that Alonso is not really that special after all, we can be sure of thousands of Spanish Alonsofans continuing the interminable outpouring of excuses, conspiracies and ill informed opinions.

[Jose M. Doval]

I encourage all the Spanish people not to read or comment in this "pool of lies" anymore. Let Ed writing with his mediocrity. Poor of you, inventing words Alonso has never said and trying to do a myth from Hamilton. I hope you'll be receiving your monthly reward for all this dirty job, and, don't worry, I'm sure my comment will not be published... "Time put everyone in his own place"... I hope "Times" will do the same.

[coretox]

if I were british, i would hate Fernando too. I understand that people like you Ed, have this attitude vs Alonso, is the most normal thing. You know F.A. is much better than any other driver in the championship, so even being at Reanult you are not sure he is not going to win, so you have to use black tactics to help your normal driver.

Just an advise. forget about Alonso, talk about your little baby. you are the firstone to create situations like last year or in barcelona. then you will tell spain is racist. FORGET ABOUT FERNANDO ALONSO if you are not going to tell the truth.

Don´t worry Ed, you are not the onlyone.

[C. Class]

ummm ... what wrong choices, what snakes? Moving to McLaren was a great idea and his manager most probably assured it was a very sweet deal. Nobody could have reasonably predicted how stupidly y McLaren would behave. If we're talking about snakes vs. ladders, then McLaren is the one who got the most snakes. Lost Kimi and Fernando within two seasons and now have two very unexperienced drivers, haven't won a championship this decade and are $100'000'000 short this year.

[JoseBelgica]

To GARY:

Well done! You got the point!! Freedom of speech/writing shouldn't be allowed to Spanish people. We should only read and listen to everything that is coming from UK. We could use the babelfish.altavista.com to translate the news from Spanish rubbish newspapers and interpret these news according to our unbearable truth.

By doing this, no matter what happens in another countries, we British, will have always the truth in our side. I couldn't imaging a better world where my British newspapers, like this one, tell me exactly what I need to know. Why bother if they lie to me ? Who cares !! I'm living my own reality and this is what really matters.

Gary, I only hope the other 99.99999999 % of Britain is not as brilliant as you are.

Have you noticed that I have criticized you without insulting you ?

You can do it as well.

[joan]

I suggest ignoring the rubbish and just talking in parallel to the Spam-ish posts.

Last season the situation was not much better and I proposed using a header saying "Nonsense-free message". It wouldn't work.

It is a shame if we lose the chance to read and talk to Ed about F1 so I would ask you to just skip the posts whose signers are the ones we all know and just focus on the matter.

I will be glad if my posts are also completely overlooked by the anxious faction of the Spam-ish crew.

[javierG]

Chris G, I hope for Jenson Button that Alonso won´t run him.
Look at Australia 06 or imola 05.

Do you really think that this guy can challenge Alonso?

[B Cave]

Gary, I agree with you. They spout such ludicrous idiocy; I wonder if they have anyone else in Spain they can worship like a God. You'd think Alonso had a halo of gold and was the second coming to hear some of the comments. And they have apoplexies if anyone dares to criticise him or, God forbid, praise Lewis Hamilton. Ed must shake his head in despair everyday. I don't want him to censor them though - it keeps us informed as to what loonies there are in that part of the world. I do wonder though, haven't they got a Spanish blog that they can play in? I'm sure British Hamilton fans are not clogging up the F1 Spanish blogs.

[Jean]

B Cave, I don't like many comments here, regardless if they come from English or Spanish people. What I don't like is to read insults and nonsense. I prefer talking about the sport.

However, it seems you believe better than the rest of the world, just for being British. Be respectful if you want to be respected.

I write in this blog because I want to. I'm French and many people from many parts of the world post here as well, because they want to. Maybe the reason why British Hamilton fans don't write in F1 Spanish (or other) blogs is because you can't speak any other language, but English. Man, you shoudn't boast about that, that's really a shame nowadays (21st Century)

[Jonah]

Why are the majority of Spanish posts taking the same line: "Oh, poor put upon Spain, we are the little country, the whole world is against us! We must soldier on alone"

Do the Spanish really have such an appalling inferiority complex?

Actually, it's something Alonso demonstrates too: his (justified) outburst in Monza '06 was also full of self-pity and perceived injustice; his complaints about Renault giving him a rough deal towards the end of '06 similarly so; and his attitude towards McLaren last year really cemented his reputation as a paranoid whinger.

He's a great driver, but the endless self-pity (a Spanish Paul Stoddart?) is really off-putting.

[JoseBelgica]

To JOAN:
Fantastic man, now it is your time to set the pace and talk about Formula 1 and stop talking about Spanish in this blog, and how we should punish them.

mmmm now that you mentioned, I think I haven' read anything coming from your side about Formula 1, but I have read a lot of things about spanish people. Set the example and we will follow you.

JOAN, maybe it would be nice from you to ask Ed to stop writing about Alonso, he is also Spanish.

To B CAVE:
We, foreigners, are writing here because we can do it. We can write/speak in English. Perhaps you should try to learn Spanish and bother the Spaniards?

Summarizing, if Spaniards are not allowed here.. would this blog becomes just another boring blog? I meant you guys post something whenever Hamilton wins, but when he loses (bad performance) you guys complain about the Spaniards posting here?

================== // =============

Talking about Formula 1.
Why are you guys so afraid about Fernando Alonso joining another team? We, employees, do it all the time. Better salary, better conditions, etc etc.

Why Ed is mentioning the same about the other F1 pilots who are doing exactly the same? Barichello, Trulli, Button, Fisichella. Aren't they doing the same?.

[antton]

I just read the interview throw the link posted by "Nadie" and I do not understand how that interview could generate all this crap. What are you playing at, Ed??

In general I agree with "el escoces" when he says that Alonso is the mayor responsable of his own situation (it is not normal for a doble world champion to be fighting for a 8th position).

and in some way I do understand the over-reaction of the British and Spanish press to the problem with McLaren... but... why to continue with that shit? do you want to blow up this niewspapers good reputation and your own? looking for a job in The Sun? or is just all about money??

I am getting bored...

[D]

^

While snakes are slithering their respective ways through the upper rungs of the ladder, it seems to me that in the shade of the limelight a certain potential cat from a country where serpents are not indigenous has been quietly making his way up the back of it with considerable success and is now very near the top of it.

If Heikki Kovalainen makes it to the summit, the manner in which he conducts himself, both inside and outside of a racing car, will demonstrate by example why neither Fernando Alonso nor Lewis Hamilton deserve our respect as men.

I’m beginning to wish I had thrown caution to the winds and followed the wise IDR to the betting shop with $300 at the beginning of the season while the odds on the less-noticed Finn winning the Drivers Championship were so favourable.

At least, like IDR, I would not feel in danger of being embarrassed by the personal conduct of the driver on whom my money was riding.

Sisu usually triumphs over shit in the end, if it stays off the schnapps.

[17 points in two races]

Fa said "Another one who push de button" This time Kovalanien, maybe the other was Hamilton at Brasil...
Do you think Hamilton will be the younger wordchampionship winner?

[ram]

Mr. Gormann is only in his second season as a GP repoter so it was quite surprising to read that "it struck me that there can have been few drivers in Formula One over the years whose future has been so openly debated."
Also his next assertion is interesting as well as inaccurate: "Fernando's "next move" always seems to be common knowledge". Really? Did anyone anticipated Alonso's move from Renault to McLaren in 2007 which was announced by the end of 2005? not a bit of it but at the time Mr. Gorman was still a sailing correspondent...
Alonso certainly is in an unviable position so talks about his next move will attract much more attention than of a driver without his CV.
By the way, why Fernando and not Alonso? are you friends by any chance?

[Kate C-J]

How quickly this blog has descended into a slanging match. Time for censorship, Ed. It's absurd how vitriolic and partisan these voices are, both Spanish and English. Grow up everyone!

[mecano]

1) Without Spanish participation this blog would not generate so much interest - try to recall the stats Ed published last year.
2) When the subject hasn't been Alonso, the participation in the blog is less (see point 1)
3) Ed likes to provoke the Spaniards
4) In a blog you can more or less write what you like - pls read Ed's comments earlier this season as to why he writes certain things in the blog and others as articles.
5) With reference to this subject, if you look at the original comments in Spanish (see Nadie's link) what Ed says is not correct.
6) Dear Joan, as you are anti-spaniard, and as a someone who wants independence from Spain (pls correct me if you "Joan" are really a lady as in Joan Crawford) and who does not represent the majority of Catalonia as in the last elections ERC (Independent Catalan Party) obtained just 3 seats out of 47 (previous elections they had 8)it would do you justice in the eyes of people like myself who live in Spain, if you could correctly translate ALonso's comments. Just translate correctly, no biased comments please. If you are not capable of translating correctly you either don't know spanish/castillian or you are not an honest person. If you translate correctly, you'll have gained a bit of respect from me (not that that is important).
7) The Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal whose first language is mallorqui (very similar to catalan if not the same)and whose favorite football team is Real Madrid is extreemely popular in Spain and considered a nicer guy that Fernando Alonso (probably rank alongwith Gasol, Casillas as favorite Spanish sportsmen - off the top of my head)This is in reply to another 'beauty' of a comment from Joan.

Looking forward to a correct translation

[alex]

To answer Jonah, "Oh, poor put upon Spain, we are the little country, the whole world is against us! We must soldier on alone"

Do the Spanish really have such an appalling inferiority complex?

Sadly, the answer is yes, although it is a little more complicated than this. The Spanish love to paint themselves as the poor underdogs manfully struggling to overcome unfair/superior opposition. When they expect to loose, e.g. National Football, there is no problem, they will simply explain that as several different countries, Club Football is far more important....however when they expect to win something, they take loosing very badly. When I say "very badly" I am being kind ... Savage, Deluded and Vindictive are the first 3 words that spring to mind.

I find the abuse directed at Lewis especially offensive as a lot of it is clearly racially based. Denials from Spanish fans of the endemic racism here are rather undone by the most casual of glances at the press or web Forums here. Entienda a mis amigos, yo no necesitan el bablefish.

Having said this, I love Spain and the Spanish, I live here and long for the day when the whole country grows up and becomes a little bit more European. Realising that Alonso is not actually the Messiah, nor even the best F1 driver, would be good too.

[javiervivaespania]

It is outrageous. Only the Spanish guys writing in this blog are sticking to the subjet of F1. Our English and Catalan friends keep insulting us.

But there is only one exception to this rule. I am very angry when we, The Spanish, attack Ed. Well, Ed is giving us a great chance to explain ourselves and defend our Champion. Thanks, Ed, and sorry for this misbehaviuour.

[Ramón (from Brussels but on holiday in Valencia)]

Hola.

Even if I enjoyed Alonso winning 2 championships, I only became addict to F1 and to this blog during last Summer: alone and bored in Brussels, after the Hungaroring race I started reading Internet until founding this blog with Andy G, IDR et al., and on top of that the nicely simple analysis from Ed, understandable even to a poor layman, newcomer to F1, a simple Spaniard.

During my fever in last months last year, I still remember very distinctly two great examples of the highly praised smooth Hamilton's driving way: parking the car in the next to last race (to the delight of Denis, there are things money can not buy etc.), and switching it off in the last one. These events didn't of course help me to get over my addiction...

I'm afraid however that this year can be more boring, with Räikkönen beating regularly Hamilton, and Alonso without a car. We'll see!

Nice work, Ed! Go ahead!

[Harry Lime]

Joan: As JoseBelgica suggests, if you are tired of "Spam-ish" posts, maybe you should write something about F1 instead of your usual stuff.

B Cave: Jean is right. We "Spam - sihs" (to put it in Joan words) write in this blog because we know how to write a couple of words in English. It would be fun to read English people in Spanish blogs, but unfortunately I have not met many English people who have bothered to learn how to speak Spanish or French or German, for instance (that is not a critic, is a fact. English people can argue that they do not need to).

B Cave: yes we have someone else in Spain we can worship like a God, but we´d rather let you English worship them (chose: Fernando Torres, Cesc Fábregas, Cristiano Ronaldo - he is Portuguese, but who cares?)

Jonah: You are right, we Spanish all have an appalling inferiority complex, even those who like me, do not like Fernando Alonso at all.

I would not dare to say that all English people have a superiority complex, but sometimes I am tempted to write that some English people do a superiority complex

Btw, and now talking about F1, I agree with antton: Alonso is the mayor responsable of his own situation.

[Pinaster]

Great idea. But as usual, coming from some "true brits", (damn me if the true british are like this ignorant bigots), reallity is one thing, and what they say, something very different. OK.
Can you stop insulting Alonso, can you stop talking about spaniards and Spain? can you? can you? can you?
Can you talk about F1 and your british hero? Can you?
No you cant. You have nothing to celebrate but your petiness. Otherwise, you wont spend so much time talking about spanish blahblahblah.
LW is leading the WChs, Alonso wont get it this year. Why you waSTE SO MUCH TIME TALKING ABOUT aLONSO AND sPANIARDS?
poor wee little men.
Can we talk about F1?
'
Cheers

[D]

^
Ed >

My heart goes out to you. Your soul must sink every time you have to log on and open this bile box, now.

How long has it taken for the Mad Brigade to come out of the woodwork and start tying to take over the place again? Just two races.

You've got to do something, Ed, or else the people who do file worthwhile contributions will just give up and go elsewhere, leaving you to preside over a bunch of moronic boors, interested in nothing but hearing the sound of their own bigoted voices.

Is that what you want?

I just hope your new laptop has got a got a much larger Delete key. And that you won't now shrink from using it.

All the worthy stalwarts here are as sick as you are at having to wade through all this mindless, vitriolic rubbish to find the stuff about motor racing.

Sod the "freedom of speech" argument. And the abuse of it. Think ruthless, Ed! And BE ruthless!

D.

[Gary]

So I have pointed this out before but I should have known better to think that certain posters on here would think the truth to be important!

I AM NOT BRITISH!!!

Just because someone dislikes all the crap spewing from the mouths of SOME of our Spanish contributers it does not mean they are British and therefore have an agenda. It just means they are sick of the complete rubbish and repeating of lies just to try and back a theory that Alonso has somehow been mistreated.

Fernando Alonso behaved like a spoiled child for the majority of last season and as Ed has so rightly pointed out created the mess he know finds himself in. Which for a talented and young double world champion is a disgrace.

If SOME of our spanish friends on here were true Alonso supporters they would be mad as hell at him for doing this to himself, his country and his fans.

I have been watching F1 since I can remember, I grew up on Prost and Senna. I have had many favoured drivers in my time and never chosen based on where a person is from in the world. I have always had a soft spot for MacLaren but would never dream of behaving in the way that SOME of you Spanish contributors do.

There is a real hatred for Lewis Hamilton in these pages, some of the comments are beyond laughable and truly pathetic. And though this comment will not be taken well I am of the opinion that it is based in fact. There is a very real racist element to the hatred towards Lewis Hamilton. Now I am not saying that the posters here are necessarily racist, your own conscience can tell you that.

But the background and cause for much of this hate, the stories in the Spanish press, the lies that MARCA feed you on a daily basis are all tainted with racist undertones. I have been to Spain on a number of occasions (And not to the beach but to Northern Spain, Eastern Spain) and I know some of the attitudes there. I have heard of the way black people I know of have been treated when they visit parts of Spain. And of course we know all about what happens at football games over there.

So please stop presuming that just because this newspaper is telling you different stories than your Spanish media are telling you that the Times is lying. I promise you that The Times has one of the best, if not the best reputation in the world for quality journalism and truthful reporting. This is why I read it, for the real news. If you do not want to believe this then please stop reading it and stick to MARCA.

Thanks.

P.S. I am not British and I do not live in Britain.

[Kathryn S]

Perhaps we could discuss a less contentious, but still controversial subject. What do you think about the prospect of five night races next year? I’m not sure about the rush to get so many of them on the schedule before there’s a proven record.

We occasionally tune into IRL races (seldom miss the Indy 500…but less diligent otherwise) and watched a night race last year. From the television watching perspective it’s a very sub par experience. I think it was on one of the shorter ovals which would likely give optimum lighting…I can’t imagine a road course being lighted sufficiently to make it any better. And not that it appears to be any concern of Bernie’s but I could only guess watching it live would not be so great either—although the cooler evening temps have been mentioned as a benefit.

[jordi]

Guys, guys, guys... Is Mr Ed who keeps bringing as much controversy as possible to his blog. Can't you see it?

[Johnny P-)]

I was fearing how did Alonso perform in Q3 at sepang, but unhappily wasted too much time (two hours) just before the race start...

...Spent too long having a look at the relevant matches in the premier league, decorated by the such dazzling brit stars: Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, Makelele, Anelka, Pizarro (nor brits, neither Spanish), Fábregas, Torres, Alonso (Javi), Benítez, Reina, Almunia...oops! Wasn't I confused here?

What to say about Champions League, the Outstanding British performance for the last twenty years (1 title per decade -the unbeatable English sports realm). (Barcelona is the favorite this season, watch out for Getafe at the UEFA Cup).

In the meantime, I spent ages reading about tons of info on the English National Team and FA Clubs recent achievements. Astonishing! Bloody countless, I swear.

Then I checked the latest news from the NBA, about Gasol, Navarro, Calderón, Garbajosa (relieving), then an ego tour at the Euroleague Final Four play off.

After that, I spent some more minutes seeking for Ferrer, Nadal, Ferrero, Moyá and all the rest of the Spanish Armada.

Went off to my finest-furnished kitchen to help me an elegant Spanish mug full of the finest aromatic natural-roast Spanish brand of coffee, along with a couple of freshly baked bread toasts, topped with an appetizing soft garlic scented olive oil (AKA liquid gold).

After this Mediterranean style breakfast, I finally, checked what the swimmers (more Spanish Armada): Mengual, Zhivanetskaya, Villaécija, Belmonte, Muñoz... did at the European Championship last week, and then, just when I was in line to take a closer look to F1 Live timing for Q3, the grid was all formed to start the race.

Finally, I felt both proud for FA's performance and sorry for him to drive this dead-weight loaded wagon. Did Ham for God's sake achieve any relevant success this weekend? No, he just performed okay, but was unable to keep his mouth shut when it was really a must!

After the chequered flag fell, I looked at the hall of fame, just to find out that the number of English-won WDC for the last 20 years equals the number of English-won UCL in the same period.

Cricket: how many times did England win the World Cup?

Rugby: maybe you want to reinstate the F1 WC as a six-nations trophy, but that is an ill-fated thought.

...and here I am looking forward to read these two weeks' sports news. And just wondering how Alex, Jonah, B Cave, Gary and others can reach to such racist-like crap about Spain and the Spanish. I'm sure they would appear less frustrated only if some British "hero(es)" accomplished an outstanding championship in short time. I will pledge for it to get them fully satisfied.

[Kate C-J]

Well, I'm with D. How Ed's heart must sink... the real shame is that the races are so far apart. If they were closer together the comments would be about racing instead of about Ed's perceived partisanship, about Lewis's apparent arrogance, about Alonso's mistreatment and about the Times's bias. I know Ed. I know he is British but as impartial as possible. He has a sense of humour and most of you have lost yours. What is it that stirs up so much bile? So much bile to the point of making this blog dull and pointless to read. Can't we rise above nationality and praise sportsmanship? I am so fed up with the Alonso stable hitting out at the Hamilton stable, and vica versa. Let's get back to racing and, by the way, thank you Ed.

[Oliver]

This Blog will be fantastic in a few months, as it has been lately, when the season is over again.

[CANADIAN]

Why don't the intelligent Spaniards post? This is getting absolutely ridiculous.

[Zoe]

I just love how all the Spaniards are evil and biased and sore losers and etc.

Have any of the Brits here been watching long enough to remember what we use to say about Michael Schumacher? We stereotyped him, we insulted him...those of us at Silverstone even cheered and jeered him when he had the big one that broke his legs.

We have no right to complain about one group of people if, in the same situation, can be just as bad.

And my friends wonder I'm watching Indycar and supporting drivers like Marco Andretti.

Let's see: He's honest, not full of himself (despite the name he carries), appreciates all those that helps him (always mentions them in every interview at the track) and doesn't have anything bad to say when things don't go his way (in fact, after last years Indy 500 where he and Dan Wheldon made contact and MA flipped, he begged to get out of the medical tent so he could go to DW and apologized about what happened). His fans are proud of him and (except for a minority like in any fanbase) carry the same good traits as him.

And I can say the same thing for Tony Kanaan, Dan Wheldon, Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon...

[IDR]

Kate C-J, D,

Yes, you’re right.

I hardly recognize this blog since the last threads, and the most of these vitriolic and partisan comments come from persons that never before were adding something here.

Americans are very direct in his expressions. Maybe should not be very diplomatic but they are quite clear.

IMHO here is one that match perfectly for this situation:

IF YOU PUT PEANNUTS, YOU GET MONKIES

Kathryn-S

Nice try!

But you (and some others here, at the moment, are talking in the desert...

[CHIUNDA]

I just want to thank Gary (who from previous posts sounded Australian) and Alex for pointing out the obvious i.e. that Spanish F1 fans hate Lewis Hamilton more out of racism than anything else. This point should be made until such a time that this kind of hatred is significantly expunged despite protests from those who wish to bury their heads in the sand over the matter.

Pinaster and Coretox - i note that you call for discussions on Alonso to be reduced and be replaced by a higher concentration on Hamilton though i should remind you that many Spanish F1 fans have whined to Ed about this blog idolizing Hamilton. This recommendation you make might be contradictory to the wishes of the wider Spanish F1 fan base.

Nonetheless i am perplexed at how much vitriol and drivel this post has raised. I find it quite accurate and objective as it is a fact that many other drivers have made some ladder moves and sometimes ended up being swallowed by the snake e.g. Jacques Villeneuve from Williams as WDC to a decade of oblivion at BAR, Jenson Button's dramas between Williams and Honda where the Honda ladder became a snake, Barichello's move from Ferrari to Honda, Ralf Schumacher's move from Williams to Toyota, David Coulthard's exceed from McLaren to Red Bull, Montoya's exceed in a huff from McLaren to stateside etc etc.

I don't see the necessity for the defensiveness about Alonso from his fans - many other drivers have made curious moves which have equally been questioned by the press without the amount of fuss from their fans that we see on this blog. However i wouldn't argue for it to end - there is little in the way of news between now and the next race, so what the hell.

[D]

^

Johnny P gets to the heart of the matter.

If we are to be truly objective we have to concede that the British are severely lacking in the art of making olive oil. Especially in Scotland.

Now that Fernando Alonso will be spending the rest of the season driving the Penance F1 car, it's time for the Spanish protagonists to shift their vociferous attention to rubbishing Berio and Bertolli in the Olive Oil Correspondent's blog in Corriere della Sera.

Here's a link to get them started: http://www.corriere.it/

Their British counterparts, meanwhile, need to start raising hell about how they can't get a decent full English breakfast in Benidorm on the blog of the Baked Beans Correspondent of Marca.

Here's a link to get them started, too: http://marca.com

The rest of us can then get back to discussing Snakes & Ladders with Ed.

By the way, I thought Ed rather brushed over the circumstances under which Fonzie reneged on his commitment the last time he agreed to drive for Ferrari.

Perhaps Ed was just being diplomatic.

[Miguel G]

Finding trolls in blogs is no surprise, and this blog has plenty. Many of Ed’s posts are interesting and provide us with information we couldn’t have known otherwise. This one is not the case (and that is one of the reasons why so many trolls are shouting).

It has been said before; some of the facts that Ed is telling us are not true:

Ed: “Fernando's "next move" always seems to be common knowledge” -> Nobody foresaw he was going to McLaren. When leaving Minardi Jean Todt expected him to go to Ferrari and he went to Renault.

More creative even is how Ed passes from the facts to his conclusion: “All of the above seems to underline again that Fernando(a great driver), has not been managed as well as he should have been... ”

If
Minardi = ladder
Renault = ladder
Maclaren = ladder + snake
Renault = ladder? + snake
Then there are more ladders than snakes, so Fernando management was not that bad.

If Fernando bad management is because of the trend rather than the net result, then fair enough, but still we should consider if some of the snakes are snakes management-wise.

1/ McLaren snake – To what extend this is because of Fernando’s management or McLaren’s management? Almost everybody agrees that McLaren’s results last year were tinted by some poor management. I suppose this is the poor management Ed is talking about. Blame to be shared by more than 1 actor. Would it have been better management to stay in Renault and not joining McLaren?

2/ Renault 2008 snake – The car performance is not very competitive. But what were the alternatives? McLaren? Uhm. Ferrari? No. BMW? No. Did many teams offered a 1 year contract? No. I don’t chat in the paddock so, in your opinion Ed, which would have been the right move? Toyota? Redbull? Williams?

Anyway, despite the number of ladders and snakes, despite the trend, where is the cause-effect link to the bad management? Ladders and snakes are results, but how did the bad management caused them?

If McLaren gave equal treatment to Lewis and Alonso, then Fernando’s management could only have marginal influence in the championship. Why neither of them won? How Alonso got on with his team shouldn’t have changed the equal treatment, and shouldn’t have diminished the professionalism of the mechanics and engineers of an Anglo-German team (McLaren). Renault’s mechanics and engineers performance was not affected by Fernando moving to McLaren in the end of the 2006 Championship. Does that mean that a more Latin team, more prone to irrational and emotional behaviour (as some of the trolls in this blog would qualify southern Europeans) was more professional than McLaren?

Please Ed, in addition to your views and opinions share with us some of the juicy and “secret” pieces of information that you hear in the paddock, that let you come to this conclusions. I am sure you have them but if you don’t tells us…

[Michael Bowen]

Kathryn S: I'm not all that keen on night races....firstly, they hardly make it easier for me to see F1 races that are being considered for European markets & the hours they want to see a race (considering where I live...they make it MORE difficult to see races live). More importantly tho', I think they'll be more dangerous. Anyone who skiis at night versus daytime notices that the flat lighting affects how one is able to predict/respond to the snow ahead. I cannot imagine that the lighting in an F1 race at nighttime will not have the same sorts of issues.....so I predict that night racing will result in more accidents and mayhem and possibly more injuries....F1 is NOT NASCAR....going around in an endless oval is not the same as an F1 track with all of its subtleties.....

back to you...

[elba]

To canadian:
You are right,the intelligent spaniards are not here, they are posting in serious f1 blogs taking about (dont tell anyone): FORMULA ONE
Ciaooooooo

[Kathryn S]

Michael Bowen,

No kidding…F1 is NOT NASCAR, but I never said it was…it appears YOU need the US Motorcar racing series primer.

NASCAR—and acronym for National Assn of Stock Car Auto Racing…although no car dealer I’m aware of stocks cars anything like those that race. They apparently have three series including a truck series and race primarily at ovals, but have races at, I believe, two road courses…notable drivers: Juan Pablo Montoya, Jacques Villeneuve (I think he has a ride now after crashing out of several races). I believe I commented before that the US Homeland Security Agency recommended that any of their employees attending NASCAR races make sure their immunizations are up to date. That about says it all for me—you would not catch me at a NASCAR race.

IRL—acronym for the Indy Racing League which has as its premier race the Indianapolis 500…run every year over the Memorial Day weekend on the oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway…known as the brickyard…and still has a strip of the original bricks as part of the straightaway. The 500, throughout history, has been on and off the Formula 1 calendar—for 10 or so years as a sanctioned race. The number of F1 drivers who have participated in or won the 500 is quite large. The league is an open wheel league racing mostly on ovals, but there are several road courses on the schedule. Notable racers include Mario Andretti, Graham Hill, the above mentioned Montoya and Villeneuve—and currently Danica Patrick.

Not much more than a month ago IRL merged with the Champ Car series…again, an open wheel series…I believe exclusively on road courses, but that’s a moot point now. The expectation is that there will be fewer ovals and more road courses when the schedule is set for the combined series in 2009. Notable drivers: four time series champ Sebastien Bourdais. Was giving serious thought to attending a Champ Car race, but that race was cancelled with the merger...I have an amazing ability to get races cancelled just by planning to attend.

So…if you will check back, I referred to an IRL race not a NASCAR race. I am well aware that Formula 1 is not run on the oval…I attended the last two USGPs at the brickyard and cleverly noticed that they followed the road course and did not use the oval--with the exception of one of the banked curves and the straightaway--which are part of the road course.

My comment regarding the oval was that it was likely to be easier to light well as opposed to a road course.

I agree that the risk of accidents is likely to be increased significantly which is why it is so surprising there is a push to get so many of the races at night so fast. I guess my comment regarding how poor the television experience should have noted how difficult it would be for the drivers as well.

From the timing perspective being the morning person I am, I love the European races as I’m up at the crack of dawn and I can watch the race, be done by 9:30 am and have the rest of the day at leisure.

…and it’s back to you…or anyone else who is interested in commenting.

[CHIUNDA]

Kathryn

Thank you for the US Motorcar racing series primer. That was the most informative post on this blog since Ed reopened it for the 2008 season.

[Anon (original)]

I do believe that the night will cause more acidetn for the reason Michael Bowen talked about.

What I want i tht in Singapoere, first night race ever, it rains. Then we'll see some real crashing and dying...um, I mean racing.

[Michael Bowen]

Hey Kathryn,

I think you misinterpreted my comment re: NASCAR....it was merely pointing out that the flat lighting would cause problems in F1 not present in NASCAR (which does run at nights) cuz NASCAR tracks are just ovals and are pretty flat, whereas F1 road courses are both longer (therefore more opportunities for uneven surfaces) & have corners that are more difficult to navigate than ovals (not to mention many more of them) so the flat lighting will be much more of an issue. I don't actually watch IRL (when it started I found it astoundingly boring....and my very occasional viewings of it since have confirmed that)...and didn't know it had night races. I agree, BTW, that it is considerably easier to light an oval than a road course, whether in IRL or in NASCAR.....or any other stock car track for that matter....I was just looking at the lighting problem from a different perspective.

Not, BTW, that some explanation of the complete confusion of the multiple NASCAR series wasn't appreciated (they always confuse the heck outta me)....there's also, BTW, other CHAMP & IRL drivers now in NASCAR which I think are improving the series overall....

[Johnny P-)]

Hi again.

At last it seems to be easier writing, with higher criteria in here. I am pleased to read more sports racing contributions since last thursday.

As this is an online blog, we are fortunately able to read or contribute at our desire, thanks to Ed's courtesy and tolerance.

In my opinion, the high number of comments for this post demonstrates that, even though Ed's idea of projecting Alonso's future, he wasn't lucky with the comparing base (snakes, ladders).

I've tried somehow to express that, being the best of the two only WDC in the grid, he's supposed to grow the highest interest from everyone around F1. Well, it comes out he is really doing it. Alonso is also a very professional and experienced driver, with the highest ability for car tuning with his engineers.

As it has appeared in the past season, he grows the highest but not unlimited interest from every team in the paddock to get him hired. The drawback for FA has been how MM managed to retain him just enough to neutralize any possibility for him to park at BMW's or Ferrari's garage.

Unfortunately for him, his relationship to MM has not been as he expected to be, what has in return taught him a bitter lesson.

I really hope for him he will be able to drive for the title whenever he procures a competitive car. He really deserves it, and that in return can offer us F1 fans a couple of emotive seasons, in competition to the other first-class drivers there.

Good luck.

[Kathryn S]

Thanks CHIUNDA, I'm not sure if Ed appreciates your comment as much as I do, but I imagine you mean beside Ed's posts.

Actually, informative as may have been, it was probably a bit inappropriate here, but I get a bit...um-m-m...irate when I am perceived to be a NASCAR fan...and that happens all the time in the US. I find that if I'm able to explain the differences among the motorcar series it helps.

[D]

^
K >

Thanks a lot for your informative opinions on the night-racing / lighting issue; and thanks to Michael Bowen, too. I've never seen an illuminated night race myself (except in "Cars"!).

Just as with holding a race around the streets of Monaco (in daylight), however, I wonder what horror would be expressed at the idea of letting people drive 400 kph racing cars around unlit circuits outside Le Mans and Spa at night if they hadn't already been doing it for years.

I support Jean when he opines (in another thread, here) that organisers should tell Greedy Bernie to go to hell and only run a race at night if that's what they want to do anyway, for the benefit of local people who want to attend it in person. The rest of the planet can make up their own minds whether to watch it live on television or record it.

The whole point of holding the races in different countries around the world is to enable people all around the globe to be able to go and watch F1 cars in action for themselves.

If the whole thing is just going to be packaged for television, one might as well hold all the races in the same country and spare everybody all the vast expense and inconvenience of shipping and travelling all around the world every fortnight.

The lighting issue, both in terms of spectacle and (far more importantly) in terms of safety, in a Formula One race is something that ought to be tried tentatively, to see how well it works, before World Championship points are awarded to it.

There would be no harm in trying its feasibility for a year, without points, before making an informed decision as to whether or not to include such races in the World Championship(s) calendar for the following year.

Non-Championship F1 races would be nothing new and the risk of degrading the Championship(s) with something that might not work should be avoided.

Drivers and/or teams should be allowed to retire from an experimental night race, without penalty to their Championship position, if they deem it to be unsafe. They are in a far better position to make an objective decision on that than a billionaire sitting in a caravan counting his money.

[Ed]

Why do you put so many things in brackets?

[M Smith, Kamloops, BC, Canada]

Alonso showed his true colours during 2006 -- his ontrack behaviour with Robert Doornbos, for example, demonstrated his sense of entitlement. If he had any appreciation of history he would have persisted with Renault through their doldrums -- he had already won two world championships thus securing his bona fides and had no need to whore after glory for its own sake. Clearly, the recent lack of Renault's competitiveness would have been no reflection on him. He would have cemented a more secure relationship with the team and earned more respect from the rest of the paddock. Engaging in a vigourous testing period with the team in an attempt to find solutions would have been more useful, and shown the character of a true champion. Instead, he's thrown it all away in a vain attempt to chase the best car. He's marred his legacy -- no wonder the top teams (and apparently many at the back of the grid) won't touch him.

[Tom]

The basic problem for Alonso is that he has no social skills. He doesn't know how to behave.
For those Spanish fans who think he's the new messiah, think back to when he won his first title. He said that he would not be celebrating his victory in Spain because "nobody ever helped me in Spain" and how nice it was to live in England where everybody respected you (unlike Spain, I imagine). He went on to say that he would only be "used" by Spanish politician and the Spanish press.

He's now been rehabilitated in Spain, but some of his behaviour still hits the headlines. Recently, for example, he made an ass of himself shooting an ad at a race track in Madrid. Fooling around with the car he drove it at full speed towards a female member of the crew only to brake dead only inches away.
Clever stuff. It ended with none of the crew talking to him and him sulking most of the time.

Sound familiar?

An analyst could help, I think.

[Nacho]

"We were racing against Fernando". If there is anyone in this corner of the net that can explain to me the exact meaning of these words I'l be happy to change my opinion about Alonso and Montoya. But until you do so I am slightly inclined to think McLaren is not what it looks like. Picture yourself your own boss telling you this morning, "sorry pal, we were working against you". OK, he's not the #1 PR master of the universe, but who is in this world of selfish humans that race cars?

Poor Heiki, he' already sensing the Mc "equality". Lewis is promised a 3 million EUR car if he wins the champ. The Finn? nothing, a round of beers maybe.

Beat the argument and I'll change my mind.

http://noggia.blogspot.com

[D]

^
Nacho >

Style would be for Heikki to win the Drivers World Championship, buy the car he's not been offered and give it to Lewis as a consolation prize.

That would be serious style. And it would make a lot of points.

Fernando Alonso lost his drive at McLaren the day he tried to blackmail Ron Dennis with the threat of doing something that could have resulted in his own pit crew losing their jobs and their homes.

Ron's a kind and generous guy if he's treated decently.

I've never forgotten the day when Nigel Mansell spun off at Suzuka in 1991, donating, thereby, the Drivers Championship to Ayrton Senna.

As Ayrton cruised home in the lead, followed faithfully and supportively by Gerhard Berger, Ron Dennis got on the radio and suggested to Ayrton that he wave through Gerhard and gift him the win as a thank-you gesture for all his help that season and so they would both have something to celebrate.

Ayrton thought about it for a couple of laps and then did it.

The joy on that podium at the end of the race was something to behold.

I thought about that when Lewis Hamilton threw his toys out of the cot and sulked at Monaco last year after being ordered not to take on Fernando and risk stuffing them both into a barrier.

Lewis Hamilton may wear a yellow helmet and drive a McLaren but he's no Ayrton Senna.

[Nacho]

D,

We can all be kind when we got nothing to lose. That's not the type of situation where you prove your character as a human being. You prove it when you say "We were racing against Fernando".

I agree with you, Lewis is not Ayrton.

http://noggia.blogspot.com

[IDR]

D,

Thank's a lot for remembering me that moments.

You are talking about my favourite drivers: Nigel and Ayrton.

Do you remember Eric Comas?

I'm pretty sure that no one driver now, should react as Ayrton did in that ocassion.

That was not only the driver, was the man also!

I cannot agree with you on Ron Denis. I don't see Ron as a fair man and proper manager. Anyhow, is my oppinion and is based on what I saw last year,

And please keep in mind that the "blackmail story" is based only on "one side" version. The other one has not told any word and he was forced to sign a "silence" clause for leaving McLaren "free of charge".

[Yves Ferrer]

I am old enough to remember Ronnie Petterson and Clay Regazzoni in F1, and the Mad Max's early days with Bernie; and I despair at the level to which support has sunk for the sport. Rabid nationalism or jingoism is not support, it is bringing our sport to football level.
Either, you sort out your column, or this will be the last time I read it. Have a look at how 'L'Equipe' do it! and learn...
Best wishes,
YF.

[Carl Carlsen]

Fernando Alonso <3

[Luis]

I just want to remind you all, that FA signed with Mclaren in 2005 just becuase it was the last season Renault was in F1. The second championship made them change the idea...

FA will be F1 champion in the future.

[Andrés]

Man, Ed, you’re simply hilarious, I have to say. I love it when you get all even-handed and start pontificating. The basic question you should ask yourself is: what exactly does a guy like you, who has been around F1 for no more than a couple of weeks, know about whether Alonso, a “great” driver (as you so lukewarmly put it) has been ill advised or not? You should keep extremely quiet when talking about a guy who, (1) coming from the biggest shits ever to grace F1, i.e. Minardi, and (2) being raised in a country with no F1 tradition whatsoever, has managed to clinch two consecutive world titles and still is the youngest ever world champion. Those facts “seem to underlie” the fact that probably he wasn’t that ill advised, after all, don’t they? I wonder what Alonso could have managed had he been pampered since childhood by one of the best F1 teams, as Mr. Hamilton has. Dear sire, please stick to sailing chitchat, though I beg you not to, since you’re a welcome big source of (I presume unintended) amusement.

Not a “great” driver, man, but the greatest driver around nowadays, as the facts, numbers, figures, “seem to underlie”, Eddy.

Dear Britons, keep enjoying that fantastic weather you have up there!

Cheers!

[Samantha Stork]

Whether you like it or not, FA is the best F1 driver at the moment. Of course Lewis is phenomenal, but press in both Spain and Great Britain and not objective at all. Of course he made mistakes last year, but also Hamilton and Dennis made their own mistakes. And let’s not forget that the McLaren team CHEATED, and was CAUGHT, last year, and only for the sake of the sport the drivers were allowed to keep their points. Even though they were earned in an illegal car!

[sam]

my oh my so much hatred towards alonso,....they know how good he is, they are afraid, thats why they hate him cos hes a threat,

[sam]

"Alonso showed his true colours during 2006 -- his ontrack behaviour with Robert Doornbos, for example, demonstrated his sense of entitlement. If he had any appreciation of history he would have persisted with Renault through their doldrums -- he had already won two world championships thus securing his bona fides and had no need to whore after glory for its own sake. Clearly, the recent lack of Renault's competitiveness would have been no reflection on him. He would have cemented a more secure relationship with the team and earned more respect from the rest of the paddock. Engaging in a vigourous testing period with the team in an attempt to find solutions would have been more useful, and shown the character of a true champion. Instead, he's thrown it all away in a vain attempt to chase the best car. He's marred his legacy -- no wonder the top teams (and apparently many at the back of the grid) won't touch him."

Posted by: M Smith, Kamloops, BC, Canada

alonso left for mclaren because renault were not planning on staying in f1 beyond 2 to 3 yrs. idiot.