Links: Alonso backs Massa
Alonso says he will help Massa if possible – Alonso “Yes, no doubt, if I can help, I will help Massa.” Does he still bear a grudge against McLaren, or is he just trying really hard to get a Ferrari seat? This reminds me of the BTCC last year, when Matt Neal got in Jason Plato’s way in the title decider at Thruxton. Plato was battling Vauxhall’s Fabrizio Giovanardi for the title, and shortly after the race it was announced Neal would be joining Vauxhall for the following season…
BMW admits it had doubts over Heidfeld – “BMW Sauber boss Mario Theissen has admitted that Nick Heidfeld’s poor qualifying performances in the middle of this season jeopardised his future with the team for a while.” Good job his days of not making it further than Q1 are over. Wait a minute…
Honda says it can make pit lights work – Nick Fry says: “Our system is designed in such a way that if the fuel hose is not disconnected the car physically won’t be able to move.” However Honda will not be using the lights during races until 2009.
Pressure tells on Hamilton – “After making so many errors, it is astonishing that Hamilton is still in contention for the championship, and he is fortunate to be facing a rival who has his own flaws.”
Could Williams be victims of the financial squeeze?
Ferrari say KERS still behind schedule – Aldo Costa: “There have been reliability troubles. I can’t deny we are running a bit late. Let’s say that I would like to have tried our system already. We have a lot to do but time is short. Even though we have two weeks more compared to the past, we must follow the collective tests calendar. There’s a test in mid January and we can’t miss it.”
Two things about this strike me as strange. First, it’s surprising that one of F1′s richest and best-equipped teams are running behind on development.
But even more strange is the fact they’re telling everyone about it. Why advertise a weakness to your rivals?
How To Watch Football Online – Will F1 fans ever have such an enormous breadth of options for watching Formula 1 online? Please take note, Mr Ecclestone.
The FIA gets heavy handed – “As it stands at the moment, every guy on the grid must feel that they will need to apply to the race director – before the race begins – for written permission in triplicate to attempt any overtaking manoeuvre. ”
James Allen’s Japanese GP verdict – “Against all expectations, the Japanese Grand Prix took place in bone-dry conditions” James Allen should start reading the F1 Fanatic pre-race weather forecasts.
Sebastian Bourdais robbed by disgusting Ferrari Stewards idiocy – “Spaniard Alonso won. In a French team. What should have been a great news story, is now just an also ran to yet another Ferrari fiddle. Poor Alonso. Poor Bourdais. Poor Formula One.”
Welcome to Formula None, where racing is illegal – “From what I have been reading on respected website Grandprix.com, the job of FIA steward has become a jolly for Max’s mates under Mosley’s leadership. It seems to be brimful of Mosley’s allies from the WMSC and those who voted for him in the General Assembly. The steward’s job is seen as a ‘perk’. There have even been instances where there have been stewards who have never even watched a grand prix motor race! And boy, can you tell.”
Sinking feeling – “Talking it through with the FIA in recent weeks a number of ideas have come up in the wake of Spa
1. An extra technician has been installed in the stewards box with an extra screen or screens on which replays can be played during the race. I think this was first done at Singapore.
2. There is a proposal on the table for the stewards to publish a short explanation of their decisions at the same time as the decisions are handed out. This would help all of us understand how the stewards reach their conclusions and which rules are in play and so on.
3. There is another proposal that all the various TV angles the stewards have of an incident will also be published to help everyone see what they see.”
Another look at Lewis Hamilton – “On the evidence so far, Lewis is a racer through and through.
[...]
The real tragedy is that Kimi Raikkonen used to be one of these all-or-nothing guys but Ferrari seem to have knocked it out of him.”
These are articles I’ve found and bookmarked using StumbleUpon. View my StumbleUpon profile to see what else I’m reading and recommend other links to me.
Jean said on 14th October 2008, 9:42
Any driver who can finish ahead of Lewis in the next two races , is indirectly helping Massa , provided Massa himself of course is ahead of Lewis. But with Alonso , I agree there is probably more of a feeling because of how he got shafted by the silver arrow , and his wish to mount the prancing horse some day.
Pink Peril said on 14th October 2008, 11:16
@ the limit 14 October 2008 at 4:06 am
“Felipe Massa has managed quite well this year without anybodys help”
Err, could you then please tell the FIA that? They seem to think he needs all the help he can get ;)
As for the Alonso comment, I am willing to bet that it was quoted out of context, or not translated properly or a desperate grab for headlines or something. Its each man for himself out on the track, and to think that a driver – any driver – would help anyone (other than their teammate of course) is just living in la la land. And I would think that there would be no love lost between Flippy and Fernando.
Just doesn’t make sense.
roser said on 14th October 2008, 12:02
I think it is normal that Fernando doesn’t like McLaren anymore, after what happened last year. I’m not surprised. We are human and we have heart and Fernando suffered at McLaren last year. I’m surprised that it surprises some people…
audiq7 said on 14th October 2008, 12:23
I don’t think Alonso would help anyone to win the championship. Kubica and him is friend so why not let Kubica win in Japan ?
I think we have to understand that it would be very very difficult for Hamilton to overtake Alonso. If Hamilton wants to force as he did in Japan with Raikkonen then for sure both will be off the track.
Remember also that Alonso and Massa are not the best friends on track as we can see on some races in 2007
Adrian said on 14th October 2008, 12:45
I wonder what odds I’d get a the bookies on an Alonso-Hamilton collision in one of the next 2 races…?? ;-)
Dorian said on 14th October 2008, 12:51
@ roser. I agree completely. Had I been in his situation, I couldn’t help but feel bitter and aggrieved . Might not speak out in the way that he’s doing but I can understand where he’s coming from.
Apostolos said on 14th October 2008, 13:55
Is it true that is not allowed to change the engine free in the last 2 races?
Cause if it is what McLaren were thinking…
the limit said on 14th October 2008, 15:43
@ Pink Peril.
I kind of walked into that one blindly. I meant help from other drivers, but you are right in what you say. I let my keyboard finger get carried away.
Becken said on 14th October 2008, 16:59
About Fernando´s International Assistance, he has answered a question that came from a Brazilian journalist:
“…Bueno, sin duda, se puedo ayudar, ayudaré a Massa…”
TRANSLATE TO ENGLISH:
“…Well, no doubt, if I can help, I will help Massa…”
The LINK (with AUDIO):
http://f1around.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/alonso-sim-se-posso-ajudar-ajudarei-a-massa/
Nirupam said on 14th October 2008, 21:10
Can somebody post what actually the question was? I think we are more concentrating on the answer of Fernando rather than the context!
DG said on 15th October 2008, 13:24
Roser etc – in what way should Alonso feel that he suffered at McLaren last year? Out of the whole team, it was only he and De La Rosa that weren’t penalised in some way, even though the only direct evidence that was brought to the court was about their emails and texts.
He walked away straight into Renault, straight into another chance to win the Championship again. Ron and the team lost points and creditibility. Has Alonso?
If he suffered it was because he found himself paired with a Rookie who could drive at least as well as he can. Why didn’t he just prove how good he was on the track instead of running to Todt’s boys with gossip?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 15th October 2008, 14:12
DG –
If he had the car he has now at the start of this year, maybe, but I don’t think on balance the R28 has been a championship-winning proposition all year long.
roser said on 15th October 2008, 14:46
DG- After what happened in last race, I don’t think you are right saying that Hamilton “could drive at least as well as he (Alo) can”
John H said on 15th October 2008, 16:18
Roser, I think they’ve both been prone to errors. Remember Alonso at the Montreal start last year under pressure – he cracked too.
Hamilton had a nightmare in fuji, and the same this time last year, but he’s also been pretty decent in keeping his head in other situations (most of his rookie season in 2007 for example) and people seem to forget this.
That aside, It would be tastey to see a Hamilton Alonso battle in the next two races for sure.