Comments on: The stewards’ full verdict on McLaren & Alonso

By: InGodWeTrust

InGodWeTrust — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:29:55 +0000

I got a heart attack due to being laughing half an hour yesterday seeing poor Lewis Hamilton (Dennis’ Baby) stack in the pebbles.

Still laughing

By: kristopher_d

kristopher_d — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:05:38 +0000

Gimme a friggin’ break. Hamilton didn’t violate sporting regs, Alonso did. That’s where it’s fair. And remember, they may both drive the same color cars, and wear the same color driving suite, but your teammate, in racing, is your first competitor. You have supposedly equal cars. If he’s faster than you, you can’t blame the car, so in reality, racing drivers have no teammates. Should Hamilton have let Alonso by? Maybe, hell probably. BFD, that’s team politics and Dennis should have sorted that out in the team trailer. Should Alonso have held up Hamilton? Of course not, and that sporting regs, so the FIA got involved. That was a clear case of Alonso saying “I’m the reigning world Champ, there’s no way in hell I’m going to let a rookie challenge me.” Fortunately for us, the Rookie is doing a pretty darned good job of spanking the reigning world champ. Equal cars, unequal drivers.

By: j bond

j bond — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:12:37 +0000

Cheats should never prosper.
Grow Up Alonso!!!!
Well done Hamilton for holding it altogether and acting in a mature nature.
You Deserve the win.

By: david berger

david berger — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 21:35:59 +0000

Well that is a good point. If you look at the video the only men over the wall who look “surprised” are those not wearing headsets. The men wearing headsets are calm as if they are aware of whatever is going on. I do find it fishy that there was a man counting down the pit stop prior and not one in this one. He can clearly see the tires by the stripe though they did not appear to be scrubbed. I think it all went wrong but in the end…..Lewis was at fault too…so the team losing points makes sense form that aspect but to not punish both drivers does not due to cause and effect.

Since it occurred within a “team” I do not think the stewards should have even gotten involved.

By: Number 38

Number 38 — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 16:18:20 +0000

Didn’t F1 get rid of “ONE HOT LAP” qualifying 2 or 3 years ago? There are 15 minutes in the session in which to make one’s best lap. The FIA got rid of it but the mentality is still with the teams. There are other ways to qualify without all this fuel/tyre/driver order strategy. I have no sympathy for Hamilton at all, he broke the team order in the first place and so what if Alonso is on the pole, starting from 2nd is not a bad thing. And what or who caused the FIA to get involved with team “strategy”?

And what about Fisichella “balking” Yamamoto? Gimme a break, this is the heavy hand of the FIA out of control.

Have we had a race this year WITHOUT the FIA intervening somehow? THEY are the ones besmerching the ’sport’ !!!

By: Ben Goldberg

Ben Goldberg — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 12:08:13 +0000

But one was deliberate, and one wasn’t. It’s all about the circumstance. As an example, when someone murders someone else, they don’t just all get the same penalty. Factors like if it was premeditated or not make big differences in jail time.

So I do think Journeyer has a point.

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 09:42:27 +0000

On Journeyer’s point, both Alonso and Fisichella spoiled one driver’s lap, and both were put back five places on the grid. Sounds fair to me.

By: KB

KB — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 09:40:33 +0000

I am just glad to see Alonso being shown for what he is….didnt he say he was checking they put the correct tyres on the car. His dirty tricks finally punished in the lying cheating team. I could see Hamilton leave Mcclaren next year, leaving Alonso there. Hamilton deserves better from a team. Alonso does not deserve to have equalled the great Senna’s 3 championships.

By: Journeyer

Journeyer — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 09:39:31 +0000

Oh yes, amidst all the chaos, it was also announced sometime last night that Fisi will drop 5 places on the grid, as a result of blocking Yamamoto in Q1.

http://www.homeofsport.com/f1/news/item.aspx?id=19854

But if THIS merited 5 places, surely Alonso’s punishment should be heavier?

Alex:

1) He can leave if he wants to. At this point, I think Ron wouldn’t mind letting him go.
2) I agree with you here completely.
3) Yup, you’re right. But why were McLaren stupid enough not to be able to control that circumstance? Why does someone who isn’t on the same page as the others allowed access to the radio?

By: Alex Andronov

Alex Andronov — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 08:58:07 +0000

3 things occur to me.

1) I don’t think other than by retiring Alonso can quit McLaren – those contracts are pretty watertight. McLaren would have to fire him.

2) I read it as Alonso getting a penalty for doing something wrong, and McLaren are getting a penalty for not admitting that Alonso did something wrong.

3) One pro-Alonso point, there isn’t 2 way radio in the cars. If the engineer was holding open the channel to do the countdown then maybe Alonso was unable to interrupt?

By: DWB

DWB — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 08:15:24 +0000

Alonso has done him self so much harm in his actions, but most of all he has shown himself to be intimidated by Hamilton. Hamilton’s cool, mature, responce will worry him even more. All of Lewis’ demeaner said “I have the measure of you, my friend!”
It was pleasing to see a top athlete for once behaveing in such a mature grown up way. Much more effective in winning than throwing a tant. Well done Lewis!

By: Ben Goldberg

Ben Goldberg — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:33:49 +0000

David, what do you think then when they pulled up the lollipop and he didn’t go for another 10 seconds? That’s where he acted by himself, or do you believe his explanation that he was making sure the right tires were equipped?

By: bogart

bogart — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 01:52:42 +0000

I think Alonso has burned a lot of bridges this year. I seriously don’t think Ferrari will touch him after the altercation with Masa last race. And I know the Italians will not tolerate him in a Ferrari. On the other hand i do think BMW will find a way to requisition him if he leaves Mclaren. I think if he can swallow his pride he and Hamilton would make a wonderful team. But i just don’t think he has that kind of internal fortitude. If he has the choice to stay even. Well just my 2 cents worth
Cheers

By: david berger

david berger — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 01:50:25 +0000

Alonso is not to blame. This is the teams fault. The ruling itself vindicated Alonso. He was penalized position but not points. Mclaren lost more than anyone in this. That in and of itself is indicative of the teams role in this event. If Alonso was acting alone (like Schuey last year) than he alone would have to suffer the penalty. Poor team management is the call. And Alonso suffers the worst for following orders, essentially doing his job. It is obvious that he is content to race. He proved that in the last race.

He is a champion and a professional and though he is eager to win I do not believe he would want to do so in a questionable or unsportsmanlike manner. I can only hope tomorrow lives up to the hype and he brings his A game to Lewis. I’m really liking where this season is headed.

Ron – Manage your team – this is out of control. This is not the only situation that has brought into question just how much control you have over this operation. For Pete’s sake it appears someone let an overpaid Gym teacher cost the entire team points and to loose the front row of the grid.

-David-

By: Ben Goldberg

Ben Goldberg — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 00:39:07 +0000

Alonso might want to stay, but what about McLaren. I don’t think it’s really up to Alonso now. McLaren didn’t know that they would have two #1 at the beginning of the season, but now they do know that they have a very good #1 in Lewis, so I think they can afford to get rid of Alonso and just battle for both championships with Lewis as a #1 and someone else as a solid #2.

And this was the situation before today’s qualifying fiasco. This just makes the decision for McLaren much easier. That’s how I see it anyways.

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 00:28:31 +0000

I really wouldnt like to be in a room with Ron tonight.
It does show the problems with joint No.1 drivers though. If F.A. had been given team leader status at the start of the season – McLaren would have both championships sown up.

By: Ben Goldberg

Ben Goldberg — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 00:24:18 +0000

Oh yes, I forgot to add, if McLaren could score points in this race, it’s very well possible they would have put the Constructor’s Championship out of reach for Ferrari, as this is the best circuit out of the remaining races for their chassis. Now Ferrari should cut the lead down and they should be stronger than McLaren in the next few races.

If I was Ron Dennis/McLaren, I would be so mad at Alonso for ruining their weekend. Do you think McLaren will give Alonso any advantages over Hamilton in the remaining races? I don’t know, but if they don’t, then Alonso will really be mad. Man, he just made this season that much more interesting.

By: Journeyer

Journeyer — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 00:18:37 +0000

Don’t be so sure yet. They may still be able to fix this situation.

But will they bother? If they don’t, Alonso primarily has 3 choices: Renault, Ferrari, and BMW. Renault’s window may have closed though, with the rumors that they have signed Nelson Piquet Jr to drive for them next year. Ferrari, meanwhile, have stated they were never interested in Alonso, and I’m sure Alonso wouldn’t want to go into a team that’s very political at the moment. That leaves BMW, who needs a driver to lead them to titles. Problem is, with the rumors that Heidfeld is just finalizing his contract, the window at Hinwil may close too.

Williams may still have an opening but I don’t think Frank and Patrick would appreciate what Alonso did today. Same goes for Toyota, and would Alonso really want to go to THAT team?

Alonso may have to make do with McLaren if he wants to stay winning world championships. Even if it means having to deal with a much improved Lewis next year.

By: Ben Goldberg

Ben Goldberg — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 23:57:49 +0000

Well this should make the Constructors Championship a little more interesting. Ferrari really have to capitalize on this situation.

Well I think it’s pretty obvious that Alonso won’t be at McLaren next year. I wonder where he’ll go.