Not Another Schumacher Story: Why Alonso is at Ferrari and not Kimi
December 23, 2009 by vmr
Filed under People & Events, Top Story
While news today has been dominated by the Michael Schumacher return to F1 competition with Mercedes GP Petrnoas, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has been talking about the man some consider to be a worthy replacement for the German at Ferrari: Fernando Alonso.
Quoted in an ITV story published Wednesday, Montezemolo said “we have been watching him [Alonso] since 2007 and [team principal, Stefano] Domenicali discussed it with me this summer…we realized that our team needed a driver capable of really getting involved with the engineers, a characteristic that was not part of Kimi’s genetic make-up, even though he is an amazingly talented guy…we were aware that something else was needed for the way we operate and therefore, we opted for Alonso.”
Alonso himself feels as though he is at the best moment of his career, which could coincide nicely with a PR push by Ferrari to soften the blow of Schumacher’s return to F1 with Mercedes, as suggested by SJ yesterday, or the Ferrari recognizes that they have much work to do to catch up with some of the other teams, as they lost development time with Raikkonen in and Massa out.
Much has been said about Raikkonen’s ability to drive but unwillingness to, perhaps, work together with the team instead of just showing up and driving fast. Alonso speaks fluent Italian and is known to be more of a developmental driver. He has been forced to be, with a poorly performing Renault and always crashing teammates recently. While there have been some difficulties in the past for Alonso at a team where he felt under-appreciated (and, I have to say, justifiably so: a two-time world champion should be celebrated over a rookie, no matter how fast or long the rookie has been at the team), the situation with Ferrari seems to be one which both driver and team are excited about. With stiff competition and a dismal season to put behind them, Ferrari is decidedly looking to improve in 2010.
There is no doubt in my mind that Alonso will be a step in the right direction for Ferrari and that he will give them the team spirit they haven’t had since Schumi but the nagging problem is that the Schumi guy is back and will do the same at Merc. An epic battle between, Massa, Alonso, Button, Hamilton, Vettel and Schumacher? Bernie hopes so!
I think the battle is going to be between 4 of the 6 drivers you mentioned. I’ve posted enough about the two I don’t feel belong in that group…but otherwise right on target.
except for Button.
Massa is not as bad as everyone is making of him, in the past few years he has definitely improved a lot, in 2008 he took the fight with Hamilton till the last, credit has to be given where it is due. Let us see whether Alonso still has the six tenth advantage that he claims to have, Massa is no Jr Jr…unless of course Ferrari would pick Alonso over Massa right from the start of the season itself.
Knowing Alonso I might presume he would have already bargained for No.1 Status, hope I am wrong.
He’s a two time world champion…no “bargaining” needed for that status…
Thats what he thought when he joined Maclaren, thats why I had mentioned it.
Alright Fred, don’t let me down mate. Just got my new Puma Ferrari shoes so I’m counting on you buddy.
For sure Fred will bring happiness to Ferrari team and fans. What I am 100% sure about is how capable is the current team of designers and engineers to provide him with a competitive car. I think the high wave at Ferrari has already past and now they have to re-invent themselves. I think this is a more challenging situation than the one Fred saw when he landed on the team of his dreams in 2007.
The teams are so close in development that a little detail might make a difference between being a midfield of a front field car. Macca showed the world in 2009 -in a more contundent way than Renault in 2008-that big mishaps can be transformed over the season; in that regard, Ferrari may found helpful the input from Fred. I do not think Fred will have to deal again with the ordeal he lived at Macca in 2007; all he need to do is to help to contribute with ideas and experience for the new challenger and drive like the champ he is; if the car is good the rest of the field will feel again his presence.
good luck!
Belive it or not, I really hope Ferrari make a great car this year. It would be so good to see Fernando fighting at the sharp end again consistently.
Heck, I hope that at least five teams make killer cars this season. Unlikely, I know, but it’s the season to wish!