You can read here and there that McLaren is considering Fernando Alonso for 2014. That will send a marauding horde of hacks down to the Ferrari garage to wind the team up and cause questions to be asked within the corridors at Maranello. It will be all rather disruptive. The question therefore is whether McLaren is really considering such a thing; whether the team is doing this just to wind up Ferrari with a little gamesmanship; or whether the media is getting its knickers in a twist and seeing deals where there are none. There is not much evidence to go on. Martin Whitmarsh was asked by the BBC whether the team would be interested in signing Alonso.
“Yes – any team would,” he said. “He’s the best driver. I don’t know his contractual situation. I assume he’s under contract.”
That is all pretty general stuff.
Reuters reported a slightly different quote.
“Yes, if I could,” he said. “I think most teams up and down this pitlane would happily sign Fernando Alonso. He’s a very talented driver. I expect next year our driver line-up to stay the same but we are open to anything. And in the longer term then he’d be a great asset. I think Fernando’s in control of his own destiny, but we’ll see.”
Some will say that McLaren and Alonso fell out to such an extent back in 2007 that it would require an act of ultimate pragmatism for the team to take the Spaniard back, knowing what he is capable of doing to an employer. Having said that this is Formula 1 and teams operate on a “needs must” basis and if it deemed necessary to sign Alonso then Alonso will be signed. One might suggest that McLaren would certainly listen if its new partner Honda wanted Fernando… but that would be for 2015. Of course, timing is the other big question…
joeblogsf1 
Interesting that BBC mentions a “senior F1 insider” that reckons Alonso and Ferrari’s relationship is now pretty poor, any idea if this source is credible? They’ve been pretty good at scooping top stories early over the past few years, though that usually seems to be EJ’s doing.
I agree that the relationship is dented, but I do not believe he can get out of his contract for 2014. But as I said you never know for sure.
Joe
There was a story that Ferrari was already willed to sack him so there must be some loopholes.ONLY Santander refused and somehow Alonso and
Santander are connected.Anyway still think that anyone who is hoping for
Kimi/Fernando in the same car will be surprised in 2014.
Latest 2015 Seb will be in this Ferrari
I don’t understand the fixation with Vettel going to Ferrari. Why on earth would a driver (especially one as keen on racking up stats as Seb is) leave the best car on the grid?
Any racing driver who wins a bunch of titles with one team will always be vulnerable to the accusation that it was the engineers that made the difference. Drivers who win titles with different teams lift themselves to a different level. Thus, it is almost inevitable that an intelligent driver like Vettel will eventually look elsewhere because he will want that status. Every youngster wants to be a Ferrari a driver and so Maranello is the obvious place to try again. On top of that, Ferrari always want the best (and have the money). However if Mercedes is doing a better job, Sebastian might go there.
Judgeing by history it seems the drivers have an uncanny idea of when to “make the jump” (must be privy to serious inside sources beyond their own team) I agree you’ll see Vettel at another competetive team but would be very surprised to see him leave a title winning car and take risks. The likely scenario is a year in an underperforming Red Bull and Vettel will likely move to a lined up title contender that he’ll have on the back burner. That could be Ferrari, Benz or McLaren if they pull a rabbit out of a hat with Honda – He possibly could do all 3 considering his age.
You can always get out of a contract, the only question is what the compensation would be. That’s what a contract is.
I meant to add, by the way, that Alonso will in surely be staying put at Ferrari, at least for 2014. If he beats Kimi he’ll probably stay; if the Finn comes out on top then expect toys and prams to part company for ’15.
Is Kimi 2.0 faster than the previous incarnation? He physically does not appear as well conditioned as the other drivers, how much performance is left behind due to ‘focus / discipline / dedication issues? Perhaps the Lotus is a better car then we know which should have garnered better results and has flattered Kimi. I like him but fully expect Fernando to have the measure of him at Ferrari.
You can get out of a contract but that does not mean you can sign another one…
European restraint of trade law would have something to say about that surely?
Non-competition clauses are fairly common in many trades. I know my old boss for instance was prohibited of doing anything at all in our trade for 9 months after he left. Part of the deal.
Bjorn, that’s merely contract law. If Alonso left Ferrari (not that I believe he would- yet), and if there was such a clause in his contract, then driving for (say) McLaren would be a breach of contract and compensation would be due. If McLaren or a sponsor thought that was a price worth paying then it would not be an obstacle.
Sorry Dave it does not work like that. If he has an effective non compete restriction in his contract (as you would expect) then he could be stopped from taking on a similar role with another F1 team for the period, usually 6-12 months. Yes that is contract law but the team can enforce such a restriction by an injunction against both the driver and the new team. It’s not always about the money.
My favourite Alonso quote from some years back.
What he said in the post-race interview:-
“It was a great race, I didn’t make any mistakes.”
What they said he said:-
“Alonso – I don’t make mistakes.”
In microcosm, this is symptomatic of most F1 ‘journalism’ – a euphemism for ‘lax reporting’. Subtly slanted bullshit for effect and spin. Considering the sport is largely personality-driven I guess media content triumphs over the races themselves from an entertainment perspective. Thus, does accuracy in this regard actually count for anything?
Don’t forget the one from a slightly earlier time “I’m better than Hakkinen says Irvine” headline, actual quote (from the self same article!) “there are some places where I’m better than him and some places where he’s better than me …” concluded by something along the lines of “so I think we’ll just have to see which of us this track suits the best”!
Reminds me of those theatre show poster stories where some critic gives a really scathing review like “this was as far away to the best show I’ve ever seen as it’s possible to get” which then ends up as a strap line “… the best show I’ve ever seen …”
You should read the book Di Spires (former Benetton hospitality suite operator) wrote about her time in F1. One group she has very little time for are F1 journalists, and she cites several incidents where accredited, experienced, on site journalists flat made up stories and exaggerated and misquoted others. Take everything you read in F1 with a pinch of salt, and make sure you aren’t relying on any single source.
I dont think Di thought badly of all journalists. Far from it. She was the friend of many.
I second that enthusiastically. Di looked after us for years. I`m sure Joe knows as well as I do the journalists she had in mind — and they were not the freelancers..
Yep Joe; I agree. I’m reading Di’s book at the moment and I wouldn’t say she gives the impression that she’s anti journalists. As you say, the friend of many. The book’s a great read; lots of great memories of AS and MS in particular which is the main reason why it’s been on my ‘to read’ list for a while.
I’m reminded of the candid memoirs of the late Malcolm Muggeridge looking back on his time with the BBC. He confessed that many an interview was made “much more interesting” by inventing the answers himself.
As for lazy journalism, imho evident on the BBC website esp from time to time, MM recalls reading the news pages of other dailys and lifting news items directly then re-presenting them in the Daily Telegraph. He would quote “informed sources in the white house”, etc.
He was a very distinguished journalist,nevertheless, and perhaps because of that was big enough to make these confessions.
Well, there are some journalists who are not like that and take offence when people suggest they are.
I won’t defend the profession as a whole, it is impossible, but what you have written is like saying that you cannot trust a Frenchman because they are all the same. They are not all the same.
Joe, it may just be you are making my comment much more interesting than it is. Look again. Did I say all journalists are like that?
Hmm, now I shall be looking out for the headline “You cannot trust the French, says Saward” or similar …
There was also an incident in Bahrain 2007. Alonso didn’t finish terribly well, and the Spanish reporters were asking him if something was wrong with the car (I was listening to Spanish radio, live). He didn’t think so. But they kept prodding and brought up a rumor that a light had fallen on the car in the garage, and asked, “Isn’t it possible that the impact had some effect on the chassis?” Alonso was like, “Nah… I mean maybe, milliseconds perhaps…”
Next day the less reputable English papers, and all the forums, were exploding: “Alonso blames weak race on fallen lamp!”
Really made it hard for me to trust the press that year, especially as things degraded in the following months.
What about money? If McLaren wouldn’t match Mercedes’ salary for Hamilton, do you think they would pay Alonso’s asking price? I think Alonso going back to McLaren is a very tall order. Purely media hype? Most likely.
So, according to you, Hamilton left Mclaren due to salary disageements? Or you say that he hasn’t come back to McLaren due to salary disagreements? I’m lost here…
I would like to think that Martin is having a good laugh whilst the Ferrari garage is invaded.
Invaded with emails from all the internet ‘journalists’ and i use the term incorrectly not loosely. You do have a good point though, how about a Vettel rumour to upset the Apple cart.
Thing is… you’ve gotta know Fernando realizes he’s going to get his collective tail kicked by Kimi .. both emotionally , mentally as well as most likely on the track … so why would he stick around Ferrari especially in light of the recent confrontations he and the team have had of late ?
But .. is Alonso actually considering leaving Ferrari ? Well … consider this ;
1) – Alonso and Euskatel Euskadi had promised the details of the their new alliance ( professional bicycle racing for those who do not know ) immediately after the Vuelta 2) – Part of the deal was to include Colnago Bicycles [ who are directly tied into Ferrari from both an engineering /design and sales perspective .. check out the Colnago Ferrari bikes ] as a primary sponsor
Yet here we are now some 5 days after the fact and nary a word to be heard from either Alonso ( who by all perspectives was excited as all get out about creating a Pro Bike team of his own out of the ashes of EE ) Colnago ( who were again looking forward to the partnership ) or Euskatel Euskadi … who are coming down to the wire [ end of the month ] to sign up for the 2014 season
Now Joe .. et al … this is pure speculation on my part …. but when you add up the facts … it does kind of look like perhaps there is a major change coming with Fernando Alonso’s future
Any thoughts ?
[ PS ; for those who do not know there has been a long string of relationships between F1 ( especially the drivers ) and Bicycle racing …. Alain Prost amongst them ]
PPSS – BTW Joe …. NBCS gave you a major positive shout out in their coverage of the Monza GP . Cheers mate !
I believe your right Joe, that this is a bit of gamesmanship on the part of McLaren, to unsettle Ferrari and cause Alonso and Ferrari a few more problems. You also stated it is war out there, without the guns and bullets between the teams.
Currently there is no real news on the new title sponsor of McLaren for 2014 and onwards, and one would think they may want to have a say in the drivers.
Plus, it is well known, and you have highlighted it enough time, that Alonso does come with a fair amount of political baggage, that he brings to a team. I doubt that Honda wants that sort of driver associated with their engine, even if he is winning a few races. The Japanese would prefer a more stable person like Button, to front their investment.
Given how tight resources are these days, sponsors just don’t want, nor need that sort of talk sidelining there investment, even if it does bring in the column inches. The publicity is the wrong type for a sponsor
Nahhhhh this has to be an early April fools joke. After seeing how he’d stand-up to an employer paying him millions It’ll never happen.
Joe ( hope this isn’t a silly question ) does the whole board of directors have a say in which drivers are in or out or is just the f1 side ?
No idea.
“Some will say that McLaren and Alonso fell out to such an extent back in 2007 that it would require an act of ultimate pragmatism for the team to take the Spaniard back, knowing what he is capable of doing to an employer”
Or
“it would require an act of ultimate pragmatism for Alonso to come back to McLaren, knowing how the team is capable of ruining a driver’s career…”
Both work equally in this context…
You would be a Spaniard, I guess?
😉
Yes, but no kidding, it really applies to the case, why on earth Alonso would like to come to the back to the team that ruined a sure championship, forcing him back to Renault for 2 horrible years and so on and so forth…
A driver will always go back to a team if he thinks it has the fastest car. There were some who felt that Raikkonen would never go back to Ferrari because of the things that he said to the team when he left the last time…
It’s more of a surprise that Ferrari would rehire him considering his previously
laissez faire attitude. Luca could look really bad if casual Kimi shows up.
Spaniard or not, Carlos obviously never had to run a company.
It was a shame how Alonso’s career was ruined, when was it he left F1?
Until know I ignored that Alonso’s career was ruined…and by McLaren!!!
I thought that he was voted “2012 best F1 pilot” by F1 Team directors, while driving for the most emblematic racing team of the history…Who else’s career was ruined by Mclaren: Montoya? Raikkonen? Hamilton? Hakkinen? Kovalainen? Fittipaldi? Hunt? Lauda? Prost? Senna?…..Just in case: I’m not an Alonso’s fan.
I may be remembering events inaccurately, but didn’t Alonso threaten to disclose “spy gate” information to the FIA if McLaren did not give him preferential status over Hamilton, but Ron Dennis refused to be extorted by his driver. I find that absurd/hard to believe just writing it myself. If this were the case, it would be too bitter of a pill to swallow.
I don’t think the precise course of events at Hungary 2007 has ever really been made public, especially since Alonso hasn’t spoken about it (a gag clause relating to his departure in late 2007, perhaps?).
That does not mean that people in the sport don’t know what happened.
Could it be possible that Santander feels it doesn´t perhaps get enough attention by sponsoring Ferrari.
Sponsoring Mclaren it could be (and perhaps it is) in better spotlight.
Well they are looking for a title sponsor for 2014…
No they are not. They have one. They just have not told the world who it is…
Why is everyone chasing Alonso? He is undoubtedly a great driver, but he is also getting a bit older now. The best option of a driver for now and for the next years would be Vettel, without a doubt. He will soon be 4 times WDC by the look of it, and he is still young. If I were McLaren he would be the driver to want for the future.
It seems this story is made up, created by whomever it might benefit, the journalists, Alonso, McLaren. It is definately an interesting story would he make a return, and after Raikkonens return to Ferrari, anything seems possible…
I don‘t believe Alonso will switch before 2015, but just in case he would it would be one of the silliest seasons ever seen! So just in this case I predict a scenario like this:
Ferrari: Raikkonen, Button (for a lot of money!)
McLaren: Alonso, Hulkenberg (not convinced with Perez after all)
Lotus: Massa, Perez (with the Telmex money)
Sauber: anyone with money and experience…?
just daydreaming… 🙂
I fear you will be disappointed.
You probeably are right. in any case, Alonso denied the rumours personally. And seems to have indicated that his main problem in the McLaren days seems to have been Ron Dennis.
Looking at this from another direction – could McLaren feel the need to put some flames under Perez?
Personally I think McLaren and Alonso would be a good fit, now that the Hamilton love affair is over.
Pretty much on the button, though I for one wouldn’t hold to the view that FA was in any way shape or form responsible for the debacle that began (and monumentally failed to be dealt with by Mr Dennis…) in Hungary.
Fact of the matter is, once the dust settled McLaren would have done anything, paid any price, sold their sainted collective grandmothers to slavers to turn the clock back. Thus having to fit another shelf or two in the Trophy’s cabinet for the championships FA would have won them given the car they produced…
I would have thought that LDM’s rhetoric has opened the door for Alonso to sack himself if he really wants to. If he says something really outrageous, LDM has to sack him (pay him off) or lose face.
Joe
In all of this, you don’t mention whether McLaren are happy with Perez… what do you think?
I think that he has a lot more to do.
Do we really believe that McLaren would pay north of $20m for a driver that cost them $100 m unless Fernando wants to drive for free. Also I’m not sure even if he brought Santander’s money with him that would be enough if rumours are to be believed and Carlos Slim’s empire is McLaren’s next title sponsor and thus Sergio is a shore in for the seat
Carlos Slim’s empire is not McLaren next title sponsor.
Any ideas who it maybe? Is this why they’ve been slow to confirm drivers?! (or just not as quick as others)
Ahhh, who then?
I wonder if Ron Dennis would quietly veto Fernando’s return on principle. Does principle override immediate need or benefit in the modern F1 era? Come to think, based on principle would Ron take Lewis back in future?
It depends on who has the power.
Fly Emirates?
It has become noticeable (to me anyway) that over the last six months or so team principles have taken to making suggestions about other teams and their drivers. An amusing branch of gamesmanship.
Wildcard: I do wonder whether Honda’s return to F1 in 2015 could lead to an opening for Kobayashi to return to the sport as well? I think it was appalling that he was left without a seat after the end of last season, and seriously wonder whether Honda would be amenable to the idea of him having a test or even a race driver role at McLaren at some point in the future.
That sounds quite possible to me and he would be welcomed back by many I am sure. Kobayashi and Button would be a perfect partnership in McLaren-Honda.
I’ve had roughly the same thoughts as you. I’d love to see a McLaren Honda being raced by Kobayashi – In my ideal world I’d put him alongside button for 2014 to get himself established in the team and the new reg’s and then go for glory in 2015
Amazing to think Ecclestone didn’t seem bothered to lose not only the one Japanese driver in F1 but arguably the best ever. He and Petrov (decent Russian driver) should both still be in F1. 2 very large markets to ignore, its going to bite him in the arse.
I wonder if this an attempt to put some quiet pressure on a dithering potential (Mexican) title sponsor for next year? If Alonso comes so does Santander and out goes someone else whose corporate logo could have been on the rear wing.
Also probably out goes Perez (as Button & Honda is almost a shoo in for 2015) in which case with a Mexican GP slated for next year where goes Perez? Not so subtle pressure perhaps to get Mexican (the Slim family) money into the team for next year perhaps?
Kobayashi was the right kind of crazy…
Oops. I intended this to be indented as a response to Will H.
Santander have never really left Mclaren after all, since Button still turns up in their adverts. Though I think this has happened to smooth over their rebranding of Abbey National in the UK.
One would suspect that Mclaren’s next title sponsor will come from GSK, though quite which brand after the selling of Lucozade I’m not sure, but they seem to be the company Mclaren are closest to these days.
As for Alonso, this is either a bit of game playing, be it Mclaren lighting a fire under Perez, or Alonso trying to make Ferrari know who is boss etc. Or he fears that Ferrari can’t give him a title shot again next year. I really don’t buy that he’d want to bail just because Kimi is coming, if he thought that next year’s Ferrari could bring him a title I can’t see him bailing out. He also knows that Mercedes is a no go, and that Red Bull seem intent to promote from within, so Mclaren is his best option of getting a third title.
But as I say, is it game playing, or is the latter option…
I know nothing, but I would’ve thought next year feels like pot luck if you’ve got to choose between Ferrari, Mercedes, RedBull (and I want to include McLaren and i hope Toleman). 2014 is a big big change and I don’t think any drivers will have a clue until the cars are dealt out next January. The biggest curiosity of this is… it makes moving as good as staying put??? I know nothing!!!
Toleman?
I take it you refer to the present-day Lotus team, previously Renault and Benneton? Why refer to a team by a name that it has not used for nearly 30 years, and has experienced much success with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso SINCE dropping it?
What does the rumours of Alonso going back to McLaren say about Button?
Nothing
Realizing that this is just a rumor – I should have asked directly what is Jenson Button’s status ? However, that is probably a discussion for another stream and should not be part of the Alonso story. Nonetheless, thanks for the direct answer.
Says more about Perez.
McLaren need two top drivers.
Ever since the ‘silly season’ started I have always wondered about Button’s position and felt he was vulnerable. As much as I love JB I can’t help but wonder if he is a real team leader.- last year he had a terrible mid season slump, this year (I know it is car related) but the season is going no where. Fernando is very unhappy at Ferrari (despite the brave face) I definately think he could re-emerge at Mclaren. And what’s more, with JB’s contract not finalised I really think he could do a seat swap with Fernando. That would give Sergio another season with Mclaren – clearly as a No.2, Fernando ultimate No 1 status (which he craves) and Ferrari a strong pairing with Kimi and JB. There, that’s sorted!
If Newey and RB screw the pooch for next years car design (unlikely IMHO) and don’t improve during the course of the year (ala Ferrari this year) then Vettel will move on, either Ferrari OR McLaren.
Next year will be an unparalleled opportunity of silly season rumors regarding driver movement.
I share the sentiments expressed by others that Vettel really needs to leave Red Bull, and win races (and even a championship or two) with a completely different team before he retires. I strongly agree that Vettel needs to demonstrate that he isn’t a one-trick pony and that he is capable of winning elsewhere.
While not wanting to detract from his (considerable) achievements hitherto, he has got to do something to look a bit more credible; to demonstrate that he can still win, even if he isn’t racing in an Andrian Newey-designed Red Bull F1 car.
It’s possible that Vettel is already thinking along these lines. I seem to recall hearing that when he renewed his contract last, he only did so to the end of next year. There was, I gather, some rather disappointment that Vettel did not take the option to sign a contract running beyond the end of 2014.
Assuming Vettel completes the entirety of next season, he will, by then, have been racing for Red Bull’s main team for 6 full seasons. This is not including his stint previously at Toro Rosso.
Surely, therefore, it’s time to think about moving on?
“If” Sergio Perez was to be let go by McLaren, what option(s) would be available to him?
Money talks
I’m pretty sure the Reuters quote was from an interview Martin Whitmarsh did live on Sky Sports F1, not the BBC, so both quotes may be correct. I didn’t watch the BBC coverage.