Comments on: Dennis says Alonso not to blame http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/ F1 Fanatic - The Formula 1 Blog with F1 news, pictures, video, comment and analysis Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:08:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Zuluhttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-63553 Zulu Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:10:06 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-63553 You know what would be a brilliant end to the season. When Mclaren is punished during the Sept 13th hearing and all points from them and the drivers are docked....hehe...I want Kimi to win :) You know what would be a brilliant end to the season. When Mclaren is punished during the Sept 13th hearing and all points from them and the drivers are docked….hehe…I want Kimi to win :)

]]> By: josema garciahttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-63186 josema garcia Mon, 06 Aug 2007 22:44:51 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-63186 Dear McLaren Man There's only one thing you may be right about. Alonso won't be in McLarens next year. That's a nest of snakes, especially the one driving car #2. I wonder who will take Lewis as a mate next year: Sato, Liuzzi? Who'll set up the cars then? Not Lewis that's for sure Dear McLaren Man
There’s only one thing you may be right about.
Alonso won’t be in McLarens next year.
That’s a nest of snakes, especially the one driving car #2.
I wonder who will take Lewis as a mate next year: Sato, Liuzzi?
Who’ll set up the cars then? Not Lewis that’s for sure

]]> By: josema garciahttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-63184 josema garcia Mon, 06 Aug 2007 22:37:26 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-63184 I wonder if you (neighbors from the islands) would believe McLaren boss if he had decided to attack Fernando. Lewis is a spoilt boy. He's been cheating since the beginning of the season. He can't set up his car and he's been systematically cheating on Fernando's. Just remind you that setting up a car it 75% of a victory. Lewis wouldn't set up an alarm clock if his life depended on it. I wonder if you (neighbors from the islands) would believe McLaren boss if he had decided to attack Fernando.
Lewis is a spoilt boy. He’s been cheating since the beginning of the season. He can’t set up his car and he’s been systematically cheating on Fernando’s.
Just remind you that setting up a car it 75% of a victory.
Lewis wouldn’t set up an alarm clock if his life depended on it.

]]> By: Evahttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-63130 Eva Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:26:35 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-63130 David is right... good mini-blog...fair and realistic!:-) David is right… good mini-blog…fair and realistic!

:-)

]]> By: Craighttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62941 Craig Sun, 05 Aug 2007 11:50:25 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62941 When it's a problem between drivers within one team, should the stewards even be involved? I would think it's only a matter for them had Alonso held up Massa for example.Maybe why I don't work for the FIA! When it’s a problem between drivers within one team, should the stewards even be involved? I would think it’s only a matter for them had Alonso held up Massa for example.

Maybe why I don’t work for the FIA!

]]> By: david bergerhttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62890 david berger Sun, 05 Aug 2007 00:37:01 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62890 What strikes me as odd is that this happened in the prior pitstop as well. Something was most certainly out of sequence, but I do not feel it was Alonso.If there is a rift within the team, Which lets face it, OF COURSE THERE IS and that was displayed today by those who develop the strategy and not those who execute it (i.e. the drivers). The rift is that of competition. They have two drivers on the same team competing for the world championship in similar equipment within 2 points of each other.What seems to excite the press and thereby exacerbate the issue is that this happened between "teammates". I have news for you...this is MOTORSPORT. It is a team sport and that team consists of the driver and his crew. Not two drivers who are buddies.When Rubens pulled over to hand a race over to Michael that was far worse than this incident. The fact that Alonso and Hamilton wear the same livery is nothing more than giving the advertisers more value for their Billions of dollars. It is a convenience that gives the ad folks more airtime and a greater probability that their brand will remain on track for the duration of the race. In the end, while they may wear the same uniforms, right now the championship is being raced between Alonso's crew and that of Hamiltons, Two very separate teams right now.I do not blame Hamilton for not pulling over nor to I blame Alonso for waiting if he was instructed to do so OR it was in his best interest to do so based on the position of the remaining vehicles on track etc.THIS IS RACING! In the good old days with Hill, Lauda Berger, Senna, Prost etc. the antics were far worse even life threatening to some degree. This sport is getting to "Rulesey" and Soft! The more rules this sport gets the more cheating is going to occur. Personally I find this to be one fo the greatest seasons in a long time. Now that Michael is gone the sport is up for grabs again and man is there some talent out there.The main pattern I see forming here is this: THE TRACKS NEED UPDATING! With the billions poured into this sport it's time someone actually took a good hard look at track design. If an aero expert such as Newey were to design a track he could work around the Aero inefficiencies that occur when these vehicles come into close proximity. Proper track design would allow these cars to be ABLE to pass one another on cicuit. I agree to the veteran enthusiast the chess game is great to watch but skill, daring and luck take a backseat to consistency and predictability more and more each year. These antics like Schumachers Monaco incident last year and Today's would not HAVE to occur if grid position was not so indicative of finishing position. Change the tracks (at least the bulk of them) and move the real important racing back to Sunday and Not Saturday qualifying. Sunday's now are about attrition, and pit strategy. Passing, Tire wear and brake wear play almost no part in the race anymore. Fix this and you've got one heck of a sport again.PS I like the new qualifying format because it really works for TV and it is so exciting...I just wish it didn't matter so much in the end. Sorry for the mini-blogDavid What strikes me as odd is that this happened in the prior pitstop as well. Something was most certainly out of sequence, but I do not feel it was Alonso.

If there is a rift within the team, Which lets face it, OF COURSE THERE IS and that was displayed today by those who develop the strategy and not those who execute it (i.e. the drivers). The rift is that of competition. They have two drivers on the same team competing for the world championship in similar equipment within 2 points of each other.

What seems to excite the press and thereby exacerbate the issue is that this happened between “teammates”. I have news for you…this is MOTORSPORT. It is a team sport and that team consists of the driver and his crew. Not two drivers who are buddies.

When Rubens pulled over to hand a race over to Michael that was far worse than this incident. The fact that Alonso and Hamilton wear the same livery is nothing more than giving the advertisers more value for their Billions of dollars. It is a convenience that gives the ad folks more airtime and a greater probability that their brand will remain on track for the duration of the race. In the end, while they may wear the same uniforms, right now the championship is being raced between Alonso’s crew and that of Hamiltons, Two very separate teams right now.

I do not blame Hamilton for not pulling over nor to I blame Alonso for waiting if he was instructed to do so OR it was in his best interest to do so based on the position of the remaining vehicles on track etc.

THIS IS RACING! In the good old days with Hill, Lauda Berger, Senna, Prost etc. the antics were far worse even life threatening to some degree. This sport is getting to “Rulesey” and Soft! The more rules this sport gets the more cheating is going to occur. Personally I find this to be one fo the greatest seasons in a long time. Now that Michael is gone the sport is up for grabs again and man is there some talent out there.

The main pattern I see forming here is this: THE TRACKS NEED UPDATING! With the billions poured into this sport it’s time someone actually took a good hard look at track design. If an aero expert such as Newey were to design a track he could work around the Aero inefficiencies that occur when these vehicles come into close proximity. Proper track design would allow these cars to be ABLE to pass one another on cicuit. I agree to the veteran enthusiast the chess game is great to watch but skill, daring and luck take a backseat to consistency and predictability more and more each year. These antics like Schumachers Monaco incident last year and Today’s would not HAVE to occur if grid position was not so indicative of finishing position. Change the tracks (at least the bulk of them) and move the real important racing back to Sunday and Not Saturday qualifying. Sunday’s now are about attrition, and pit strategy. Passing, Tire wear and brake wear play almost no part in the race anymore. Fix this and you’ve got one heck of a sport again.

PS I like the new qualifying format because it really works for TV and it is so exciting…I just wish it didn’t matter so much in the end. Sorry for the mini-blog

David

]]> By: Ben Goldberghttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62885 Ben Goldberg Sun, 05 Aug 2007 00:12:35 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62885 I don't belive Ron for a second. They did make up a story that at least makes partial sense, but that's all it is, a story. If what happened today was really the plan, then why was Ron so mad afterwards? I don’t belive Ron for a second. They did make up a story that at least makes partial sense, but that’s all it is, a story. If what happened today was really the plan, then why was Ron so mad afterwards?

]]> By: monstermomhttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62871 monstermom Sat, 04 Aug 2007 22:41:21 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62871 I LOOOVVEEE F1. The race should be as interesting as the qualifying... if not better. I LOOOVVEEE F1. The race should be as interesting as the qualifying… if not better.

]]> By: Keith Collantinehttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62868 Keith Collantine Sat, 04 Aug 2007 22:29:44 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62868 <a href="http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/alonso-punished-for-hamilton-incident/" rel="nofollow">Alonso & McLaren punished</a> Alonso & McLaren punished

]]> By: McLaren Manhttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62865 McLaren Man Sat, 04 Aug 2007 22:25:00 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62865 It is puzzling isn't it? One would think that Alonzo would know he wouldn't be able to get away with something like this. Is it really worth besmirching your hard earned career reputation to take poll position instead of 2nd in one race. At the same time, the lollipop went up and he sat there for a full 14 seconds by my count. Clearly, the team were expecting him to go. If Alonzo is guilty I suspect he'll be with another team next year. I think McLaren and Alonzo may be ready to part ways... It is puzzling isn’t it? One would think that Alonzo would know he wouldn’t be able to get away with something like this. Is it really worth besmirching your hard earned career reputation to take poll position instead of 2nd in one race. At the same time, the lollipop went up and he sat there for a full 14 seconds by my count. Clearly, the team were expecting him to go. If Alonzo is guilty I suspect he’ll be with another team next year. I think McLaren and Alonzo may be ready to part ways…

]]> By: KBhttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62859 KB Sat, 04 Aug 2007 22:04:31 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62859 Getting sick of Mclarens antics, the supposedly honest man with high morals is telling alot of lies this year..glad to see Alonso for what he truely is.....UNDER PRESSURE....if that team has any morals, which I doubt, then surely Hamilton will be out of the 1st corner 1st, and racing can resume...... Getting sick of Mclarens antics, the supposedly honest man with high morals is telling alot of lies this year..glad to see Alonso for what he truely is…..UNDER PRESSURE….if that team has any morals, which I doubt, then surely Hamilton will be out of the 1st corner 1st, and racing can resume……

]]> By: F1 Voicehttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62855 F1 Voice Sat, 04 Aug 2007 21:28:41 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62855 This is purely the line Ron Dennis has concocted to avoid admitting Alonso deliberately held up Hamilton and in turn to avoid a grid penalty.There is no way the delay was a 'team decision'. If the team genuinely wanted to hold up Hamilton they could have done 101 things to make it look more realistic like finding a problem with a tyre or something. The fact is, the lollipop went up - the team wanted Alonso on his way and he chose to stall Hamilton. This is purely the line Ron Dennis has concocted to avoid admitting Alonso deliberately held up Hamilton and in turn to avoid a grid penalty.

There is no way the delay was a ‘team decision’. If the team genuinely wanted to hold up Hamilton they could have done 101 things to make it look more realistic like finding a problem with a tyre or something. The fact is, the lollipop went up – the team wanted Alonso on his way and he chose to stall Hamilton.

]]> By: Fer no.65http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62849 Fer no.65 Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:24:52 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62849 quite logital really... the story makes sense... but if your drivers can manage the pressure they put each other, and they do everything (even not listening to team orders) that's team principal fault.If the lolypop man didn't do his job properly, that's team principal fault.If you can re-programme a strategy in the middle of a 15 minutes qualyfing, that's team principal fault.The first things i thought were: >>If the traffic was so heavy, why they delayed Fernando TWICE??... >>Why didn't lewis came to pits one lap earlier if they knew Fernando was going to be delayed again?... >>Why did Lewis had to slow down when he could have gained time with Fernando pitting one lap earlier?...If someone could explain me... quite logital really… the story makes sense… but if your drivers can manage the pressure they put each other, and they do everything (even not listening to team orders) that’s team principal fault.

If the lolypop man didn’t do his job properly, that’s team principal fault.

If you can re-programme a strategy in the middle of a 15 minutes qualyfing, that’s team principal fault.

The first things i thought were:
>>If the traffic was so heavy, why they delayed Fernando TWICE??…
>>Why didn’t lewis came to pits one lap earlier if they knew Fernando was going to be delayed again?…
>>Why did Lewis had to slow down when he could have gained time with Fernando pitting one lap earlier?…

If someone could explain me…

]]> By: Magnushttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62848 Magnus Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:19:03 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62848 As stupid as Ron's explanation sounds I still find it hard to believe Alonso could deliberately have waited just the exact few seconds needed to get himself by before time ran out and making sure Lewis didn't.As talented and experienced as these drivers are, I still imagine they are quite anxious to get out as soon as possible and be sure to get that last lap. There are a lot of ways they can get held up on their out lap still with only 10 drivers in the final session. As stupid as Ron’s explanation sounds I still find it hard to believe Alonso could deliberately have waited just the exact few seconds needed to get himself by before time ran out and making sure Lewis didn’t.

As talented and experienced as these drivers are, I still imagine they are quite anxious to get out as soon as possible and be sure to get that last lap. There are a lot of ways they can get held up on their out lap still with only 10 drivers in the final session.

]]> By: Robert McKayhttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62846 Robert McKay Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:03:42 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62846 Leah, ever considered Ron wasn't telling the whole truth? That maybe it was easiest to come up with some twaddle to make sure they weren't penalised and to just go and get 18 points come what may? Leah, ever considered Ron wasn’t telling the whole truth? That maybe it was easiest to come up with some twaddle to make sure they weren’t penalised and to just go and get 18 points come what may?

]]> By: Abhinavhttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62845 Abhinav Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:02:44 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62845 I am just surprised.Is this Ron Dennis's way of spanking Hamilton whenver he is(or will be) a bad boy?;)Still,not a very convincing answer. I am just surprised.Is this Ron Dennis’s way of spanking Hamilton whenver he is(or will be) a bad boy?;)

Still,not a very convincing answer.

]]> By: Leahhttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62840 Leah Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:36:42 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62840 Hopefully this is the end of this incident. Alonso wasn't to blame - even though every non-Alonso fan was ready to point the finger at him.Quite hilarious to me personally because now everyone who said Alonso was to blame looks stupid.I just wonder why Dennis didn't say this after Quali so none of the "Alonso blocked Hamilton purposely" rubbish could have started. Hopefully this is the end of this incident. Alonso wasn’t to blame – even though every non-Alonso fan was ready to point the finger at him.

Quite hilarious to me personally because now everyone who said Alonso was to blame looks stupid.

I just wonder why Dennis didn’t say this after Quali so none of the “Alonso blocked Hamilton purposely” rubbish could have started.

]]> By: Andy Jhttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62839 Andy J Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:33:58 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62839 This is what I can't stand about McLaren/Ron Dennis (they are the same entity after all!), everything so 'Corporate'. Dennis was obviously livid directly after the incident, so why come out with that clap trap. All credit to Hamilton though. Image if that had happened to Eddie Irvine or M.Schumacher, Alonso would have been on his backside as soon as he was out of the car. Actually, that doesn't sound such a bad idea! This is what I can’t stand about McLaren/Ron Dennis (they are the same entity after all!), everything so ‘Corporate’. Dennis was obviously livid directly after the incident, so why come out with that clap trap. All credit to Hamilton though. Image if that had happened to Eddie Irvine or M.Schumacher, Alonso would have been on his backside as soon as he was out of the car. Actually, that doesn’t sound such a bad idea!

]]> By: Clivehttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62836 Clive Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:18:36 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62836 As you know, I'd much prefer it if Ron's explanation was the truth. And then he says this:"Obviously Lewis feels more uncomfortable with the situation than Fernando. That’s life, that’s the way it is, and if he feels too hot to talk about it then that’s the way it is."Sorry, Ron, Lewis looked pretty comfortable to me in the press conference.I think the truth lies somewhat earlier in the statement:"...it is extremely difficult to deal with two such competitive drivers. There are definite pressures within the team. We make no secret of it. They are both very competitive, and they both want to win, and we are trying our very hardest to balance those pressures."Ron has kept things together by asking the more mature of his drivers to take the blame. For the sake of the team, you understand... As you know, I’d much prefer it if Ron’s explanation was the truth. And then he says this:

“Obviously Lewis feels more uncomfortable with the situation than Fernando. That’s life, that’s the way it is, and if he feels too hot to talk about it then that’s the way it is.”

Sorry, Ron, Lewis looked pretty comfortable to me in the press conference.

I think the truth lies somewhat earlier in the statement:

“…it is extremely difficult to deal with two such competitive drivers. There are definite pressures within the team. We make no secret of it. They are both very competitive, and they both want to win, and we are trying our very hardest to balance those pressures.”

Ron has kept things together by asking the more mature of his drivers to take the blame. For the sake of the team, you understand…

]]> By: Keith Collantinehttp://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/comment-page-1/#comment-62835 Keith Collantine Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:17:29 +0000 http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/dennis-says-alonso-not-to-blame/#comment-62835 Well, that is what I said! Well, that is what I said!

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