Fernando Alonso, Ferrari and a hypothetical.

[bewildered_jim]

Premise: Alonso has another sub-par season in 2012. Ferrari were strongest in 2010, benefiting from a 2009 season spent preparing.

Question: What will happen if Alonso has another 2011? Where could he go? Would he go?
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"With its F1 coverage from 2012 set to play second fiddle, the BBC promises to get fans close to the true experience - of being Mark Webber" #HIGNFY @don_lyall

[dryjoint]

straight swap him and Hamilton? or takes webbers seat?

[Podge 90]

How old is Fernancy now? 30? He's close to being one of the F1 old-timers even if he is already one of the long-termers. I think he has to see his career out at Ferrari, and as much as I'm not a fan of them, can you really say Ferrari won't have a change of fortune in the near future?

So in my eyes the wise choice would be to stay put, stay at the top and keep a 458 as a weekend car (well, a for-everything-else car) before driving his last F1 race (which might not be for a while yet, granted).

I don't think McLaren would have him back really, as the ethos is to have two equally talented drivers who are equally treated, and history shows us Fernancy doesn't really fit into that.......

For me, the most interesting thing will happen when Webber departs Red Bull. Who'll take that seat? McLaren will do all they can to hold Button and Hamilton, and if they get a championship-winning car, there would be no reason to leave. Would Red Bull want a clear cut first and second driver, or would they want two top drivers? Kimi? (He's supposed to be on the UK Top Gear on March 11th, by the way)

[Anfield5]

Alonso really has nowhere to go. McLaren is a no-go and Red Bull wouldn't have him (just my opinion and gut feeling). When Webber steps aside RedBull will promote one of their youngsters to the race seat and give them a season to get up to speed alongside Vettel.

So unless BGB wants to step backwards into a Renault or a Merc, Ferrari is his only real option. Having said that Ferrari UP YOUR GAME! give your drivers the chance to compete with the front runners. (maybe a phone call to Ross Brawn to ask him how he did it would be in order )
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Movable body panels - welcome to the Wacky Races

[easy_rider]

Even if they do have a disappointing 2012 (and it looks not unlikely, but you make forecasts based on pre-season testing at your peril), he should stay put. Statistically, there would still be a greater chance of Ferrari putting in a competitive performance the following year than any other team.

Besides, he's won world championships and his talent is widely recognised, so it's not as if desperation will kick in. He doesn't have all that much to prove.

[Anfield5]

[GJ]

I really think some of the pundits here are a bit overanxious in writing Ferrari off as a sub-par tean nonetheless. A sub-par car, maybe, but even that is hardly decided yet. A sub-par team, really?

I suggest people wait until the first two GP's are finished before they start popping the bottle at the demise of Ferrari.

Regards
GJ

[Anfield5]

[KKiirmki]

Alonso had a sub par season in 2011...really??? He finished 4th in the standings, 1 point behind Webber and only another 13 behind Button. Both these drivers had far superior cars, he finished in positions his Ferrari didn't really deserve. Ferrari may have had a 'sub par' season but Alonso certainly didn't.

Alonso won't be going anywhere, he'll end his formula 1 career with Ferrari. I feel it's not a matter of if but when he'll win another championship and that'll be behind the wheel of a Ferrari.

[bewildered_jim]

Not commenting on Alonso's driving at all; but 4th is not the close 2nd of 2010.

Note that this is a hypothetical based on a premise of Ferrari not delivering in 2012.
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"With its F1 coverage from 2012 set to play second fiddle, the BBC promises to get fans close to the true experience - of being Mark Webber" #HIGNFY @don_lyall

[bawjohnson]

It's entertaining watching Ferrari flounder, they become very Italian..

Ferrari are not Formula 1 any more, if they left now, I doubt many casual fans would notice...

'Nando's options are very limited - The last glory days were due to an entire team and tyre company entirely galvanised around a certain Mr Schumacher, with a subservient number 2 driver and the finest management and technical minds of the time.

Is Alonso in the Schumacher mould? No. too petulant, too dummy spitting, to hard to trust and like, imo. It's hard to attach yourself to something so slippery..

As for Ferrari, as I said in another thread, I think everything outside Ferrari will be the undoing of them, the media and political pressure of another unsuccessful year will ensure heads rolling and further cutbacks, which will only set them back even further. They need something to happen, whether it's young blood into the team and a total rethink (get rid of Massa!) or some change in working practise or something, but the underwhelming car - spend first 4 races moaning - freak result - late surge pattern is wearing thin..

[SkidMarks]

[Anfield5]

Ferrari will always survive as long as F1 does.
As SkidMArks said having frustratingly dissapointing phases is part of what makes Ferrari Ferrari.

The problem has always been being able to be consistantly at the top. The best ever period was the Schumi/Todt/Brawn era, before that you need to go back to the mid-late 70's with the 312T series to find them consistantly at or near the Championship, before that you need to go back into the early-mid 60's etc.

So Ferrari's current predicament is not too out of the ordinary, but to hold on to the top drivers like Alonso, they need to be in a wining position more often than not
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Movable body panels - welcome to the Wacky Races

[IMSA Racer]

A word to Ferrari . . .

Contrary to Mr. Domenicali's remarks, the past doesn't predict the future, and if I were you . . .

PANIC !!!!!!


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Ex IMSA Racer

[White Lightning]

I read on another forum that the press box in Melbourne has christened the Ferrari "Clifford" - a big, red dog...