[RedNome]

McClaren announce Fernando Alonso to leave team.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...842921,00.html

[crappycraperson]

Shocking

[topper]

Good riddance to the whining git

[pert]

Bring him to Ferrari I say

[ZIDANE]

I never saw this thread and posted it in the old one but I'll post it in here now, with a bit extra...

Alonso said: "Since I was a boy I had always wanted to drive for McLaren, but sometimes in life things do not work out. I continue to believe that McLaren is a great team.

"Yes, we have had our ups and downs during the season, which has made it extra challenging for all of us, and it is not a secret that I never really felt at home.

"I know there have been suggestions of favouritism within the team and people say a lot of things in the heat of battle, but in the end I was always provided with an equal opportunity to win."

Dennis added: "He is a great driver but for some reason the combination of McLaren-Mercedes and Fernando has not really worked out, and in the end we reached a stage where none of us could find a way to move forward."

Maybe they had different words on the inside but at least there wasn't any of that 'bitchiness' in the media that we have seen this season.

It will be interesting to see not only where he goes but who comes into McLaren.... Will they go for another younger type or head for some experience to support Hamilton or as a safe bet? They may even promote their test driver as he was fighting for the place with Hamilton the year before...

Ferrari already have their drivers under contract (Massa re-signing recently and it would be very unlikely they would get rid of Raikkonen unless he moves back to McLaren which I doubt!). Renault is a big possibility and maybe BMW will take this chance to make that step up - they have had probably the best car after McLaren and Ferrari.

[ZIDANE]

Alonso offered return to Renault

Renault chief Flavio Briatore has offered Fernando Alonso a deal to return to the team which helped him win the 2005 and 2006 world titles.

Alonso has left McLaren and speculation suggests he could move to a team for a year before a switch to Ferrari.

But Briatore says Renault are not prepared to be an interim measure.

"I have presented a project for the future to Fernando," Briatore told Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport's website.

"If his desires coincide with ours, it can happen.

"I know how much he can still give Renault. But an agreement for one year would have no sense with an outlook projected for a period of time."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/7076762.stm

-----

Hamilton earmarks McLaren targets

Lewis Hamilton is tipping one of three drivers to be his team-mate at McLaren after Fernando Alonso's departure.

When asked who would be alongside him next season, he said: "(Nico) Rosberg, (Adrian) Sutil or (Heikki) Kovalainen.

"The most important thing is that he is a team player," added the Briton, whose sensational first season in F1 led to him falling out with Spaniard Alonso.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/7076956.stm

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

Renault have been summoned before Formula One's governing body to answer a charge of possessing confidential McLaren technical information.

McLaren were fined $100m (£47.5m) and thrown out of the constructors' championship after being found guilty on a similar charge in September.

Renault are to appear before the FIA world motorsport council on 6 December.

The information included "the layout and critical dimensions of the McLaren F1 car", an FIA statement said.

The FIA made the announcement on the day it emerged that its inspectors had visited McLaren as part of their investigation to ensure no Ferrari ideas would be on the 2008 McLaren car.

An FIA statement said Renault were accused of "unauthorised possession" between September 2006 and October 2007 "of documents and confidential information belonging to McLaren".

That, it added, included "but [was] not limited to, the layout and critical dimensions of the McLaren F1 car, together with details of the McLaren fuelling system, gear assembly, oil cooling system, hydraulic control system and a novel suspension component used by the 2006 and 2007 McLaren F1 cars."

The charges levelled against Renault - the first hints of which emerged in September around the time of McLaren's punishment - are remarkably similar to those McLaren faced.

FIA president Max Mosley said at the time that the accusations against Renault revolved around an employee who had left McLaren to join Renault and taken the information with him.

A Renault spokesman told BBC Sport: "Ever since the matter was brought to our attention, we have acted with complete transparency towards McLaren and the FIA and we will continue to do so."

A McLaren spokeswoman said the team would not be commenting on the matter.

Renault won the Formula One drivers' and constructors' titles in 2005 and 2006, but failed to win a race in 2007 following the departure of world champion Fernando Alonso to McLaren.

The Spaniard is now tipped for a return to the team where he enjoyed his greatest success, although Red Bull are also in the frame to sign him.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/7085098.stm



What next?

Going to be interesting to see how Renault explain their way out of this one.

[Count Duckula]

Every single team do it. They've all got spies in the other big teams and they've all got their hands on information they shouldn't have.

McLaren were just unlucky enough to be caught with the information. Now they've punished them, they're going to be looking a lot harder at everyone else, too. And they WILL find it elsewhere.

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

The FIA have made a rod for their own backs with the punishment handed down to McLaren though, and the supposed fine margain between the £100m fine and their exclusion from an entire season.

If they are seen to be unduely lenient with Renault in this instance, well, McLaren aren't jsut going to sit there and do nothing are they? Turn into a right mess and detract away from next season it could drag on so long. A right bloody mess in the works here basically.

[Stemmy]

Originally Posted by Count Duckula

Every single team do it. They've all got spies in the other big teams and they've all got their hands on information they shouldn't have.

McLaren were just unlucky enough to be caught with the information. Now they've punished them, they're going to be looking a lot harder at everyone else, too. And they WILL find it elsewhere.

This is different.....taking photos of other cars while they're on track and gathering information on a cars behaviour and characteristics is spying and its legal.Every single team does this.

Actually having complete secret dossiers illegally obtained from a rival team and using it is completely different and highly illegal.

[Swerny]

Alonso will end up back at Renault.

I don't see him going to Red Bull.

Kovallainen or Bruno Spengler will get the McLaren drive.

Fisichella will finally be put out to pasture with Ralf and I wish Barrichello,

[VidaRed]

ferrari = fia = cunts

[Agent Kenyon]

Originally Posted by VidaRed

ferrari = fia = cunts

agreed

[vikram10]

Interesting season ahead. And good to know there's at least one race scheduled in the north americas.

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

Originally Posted by MS MSP

Alonso will end up back at Renault.

I don't see him going to Red Bull.

But what kind of a home will Renault be for him next season? If they are found guilty, who knows what state they will be in after what you would imagine will be severee sanctions, are handed down.

[Reflectorboy]

Originally Posted by VidaRed

ferrari = fia = cunts

bunch of bullocks, the FIA is weak and should have thrown Hamilton and Alonso out of the driver's championship too. this was admited by Mosley in an interview
the fact is that McLaren possessed some information that gave them tremendous advantage which they shouldn't have had. other Michelin runners struggled except McLaren.
Renault's case should not be taken on an equal plane because they did not cause any big damage to the formula 1 outcome as compared with the degree that McLaren had

[Brad]

So Renault stole McClaren data eh? Which means they effectively stole Ferrari data?

At least when McClaren did it, they build a car better than the one they were copying off! Heads need to roll if last seasons car was the best they could come up with even with another teams information!

FIA have done themselves up the behind on this one, they set a daft precident and will now have to follow it every time something like this happens. Which will surely be very often

Just wait until it comes out that Ferrari stole Spyker information...

[ZIDANE]

They know every team especially the big ones have specially designated members of the team to spy on the rival teams.

I think what these charges are about if the actual team has used certain data/ideas to their advantage which can actually be proved.

The thing is though a lot of these teams will adapt their ideas around their existing ideas so in affect it will be different - which is probably why Ron Dennis always claimed they had never done anything wrong.

Anyway this is just messing everything up in what could have been a new dawn for F1 after Schumacher leaving and the possibility of a number of drivers fighting for the championship.

Next season may just be even better with the new rules like no driver aids (traction control) being introduced.

Hopefully anyway...

[Desert Eagle]

team player = will not complain if Hamilton is favoured.

[Count Duckula]

Originally Posted by Desert Eagle

team player = will not complain when Hamilton is favoured.

Fixed it for you.

[Reflectorboy]

I really hope McLaren cocks it up for another season

[Brad]

Brawn charged with reviving Honda



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/7090180.stm

The struggling Honda team have secured a major coup by appointing former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn as their new team principal.

The Englishman, 52, was confirmed in his new role on Monday, with Nick Fry continuing as chief executive.

Brawn was the technical mastermind behind Ferrari's unprecedented success in the first half of this decade.

Brawn said: "The opportunity to help the team to realise its potential represents a fantastic new challenge."

Brawn will be expected to turn Honda from underachievers into a major force.

"The team has already done a great job of giving due consideration to its future and has spent a good deal of time putting in place both people and first class engineering resources to achieve its ambitions," he said.

Fry described Brawn's appointment as "a very satisfying conclusion to the process of refreshing and revitalising a strong and determined team.

"His experience of winning world championships in F1 will be crucial as we seek to put Honda back into championship contention," he added.

It is Brawn's first role as team principal, but few inside F1 will doubt he will be a success in the position - as long as Honda's management in Japan allow him free reign to run the team.

Brawn joins at the end of the worst season in Honda's modern history.

The team produced one of the most uncompetitive cars on the grid this season, with Jenson Button managing only six points and the veteran former Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello failing to score any at all.

That was despite Button giving the team their first win of the modern era in Hungary in 2006.

Brawn joining the team will be a huge reassurance to Button, who said at the weekend he would not tolerate another season of underachievement.

"The car was a complete dog, and I'm just not interested in racing like this any more," Button said.

"I'd love to win the title with Honda but I've got to start winning, and if I don't then I have to be ruthless."

However, Brawn will not be able to turn the team around overnight.

Next year's Honda car has already been designed, and he will be focusing his initial efforts on reorganising the team to ensure it is competitive in 2009.

Nevertheless, it is to be expected that his impact will begin to be felt as the 2008 season progresses.

Brawn is hugely highly rated in F1, where he became synonymous with Michael Schumacher.

The two were together at Benetton in the early 1990s, winning back-to-back world titles in 1994 and 1995, before both moved to Ferrari in 1996.

Their arrival marked a dramatic upturn in the Italian team's fortunes, turning them into world beaters after years in the doldrums.

Schumacher finally ended Ferrari's 21-year run without a drivers' title in 2000, the first of five championships in a row.

Brawn took a sabbatical from F1 following Schumacher's retirement at the end of 2006, and has been in demand by Red Bull and Toyota as well as Honda.

Fry is rumoured to have been chasing Brawn since last spring, but Ferrari had first call on his services.

Brawn began talks with his former team in the summer but he was unable to agree a deal to become their team principal.

Now those negotiations have failed, he has decided to take on a challenge that will be at least the equal of that he undertook at Ferrari - and Honda will hope he is able to have a similar effect on them.

Honda announced that Shuhei Nakamoto, whose controversial appointment as senior technical director led to the departure of the respected Geoff Willis in 2006, will move to a new role.

Nakajima will become deputy managing director (technical), reporting to Brawn, and charged with ensuring the F1 team "gains maximum benefit from Honda's research and development operation in Tochigi [in Japan]".

[Cold_Boy]

Originally Posted by Count Duckula

Fixed it for you.

[Desert Eagle]

Originally Posted by Count Duckula

Fixed it for you.

Thank you count.

[Reflectorboy]

Originally Posted by Brad Cantona

Brawn charged with reviving Honda



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/7090180.stm

The struggling Honda team have secured a major coup by appointing former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn as their new team principal.

The Englishman, 52, was confirmed in his new role on Monday, with Nick Fry continuing as chief executive.

Brawn was the technical mastermind behind Ferrari's unprecedented success in the first half of this decade.

Brawn said: "The opportunity to help the team to realise its potential represents a fantastic new challenge."

Brawn will be expected to turn Honda from underachievers into a major force.

"The team has already done a great job of giving due consideration to its future and has spent a good deal of time putting in place both people and first class engineering resources to achieve its ambitions," he said.

Fry described Brawn's appointment as "a very satisfying conclusion to the process of refreshing and revitalising a strong and determined team.

"His experience of winning world championships in F1 will be crucial as we seek to put Honda back into championship contention," he added.

It is Brawn's first role as team principal, but few inside F1 will doubt he will be a success in the position - as long as Honda's management in Japan allow him free reign to run the team.

Brawn joins at the end of the worst season in Honda's modern history.

The team produced one of the most uncompetitive cars on the grid this season, with Jenson Button managing only six points and the veteran former Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello failing to score any at all.

That was despite Button giving the team their first win of the modern era in Hungary in 2006.

Brawn joining the team will be a huge reassurance to Button, who said at the weekend he would not tolerate another season of underachievement.

"The car was a complete dog, and I'm just not interested in racing like this any more," Button said.

"I'd love to win the title with Honda but I've got to start winning, and if I don't then I have to be ruthless."

However, Brawn will not be able to turn the team around overnight.

Next year's Honda car has already been designed, and he will be focusing his initial efforts on reorganising the team to ensure it is competitive in 2009.

Nevertheless, it is to be expected that his impact will begin to be felt as the 2008 season progresses.

Brawn is hugely highly rated in F1, where he became synonymous with Michael Schumacher.

The two were together at Benetton in the early 1990s, winning back-to-back world titles in 1994 and 1995, before both moved to Ferrari in 1996.

Their arrival marked a dramatic upturn in the Italian team's fortunes, turning them into world beaters after years in the doldrums.

Schumacher finally ended Ferrari's 21-year run without a drivers' title in 2000, the first of five championships in a row.

Brawn took a sabbatical from F1 following Schumacher's retirement at the end of 2006, and has been in demand by Red Bull and Toyota as well as Honda.

Fry is rumoured to have been chasing Brawn since last spring, but Ferrari had first call on his services.

Brawn began talks with his former team in the summer but he was unable to agree a deal to become their team principal.

Now those negotiations have failed, he has decided to take on a challenge that will be at least the equal of that he undertook at Ferrari - and Honda will hope he is able to have a similar effect on them.

Honda announced that Shuhei Nakamoto, whose controversial appointment as senior technical director led to the departure of the respected Geoff Willis in 2006, will move to a new role.

Nakajima will become deputy managing director (technical), reporting to Brawn, and charged with ensuring the F1 team "gains maximum benefit from Honda's research and development operation in Tochigi [in Japan]".

Good appointment by Honda

[Count Duckula]

Wonder if Alonso might end up at Honda now?

Will the media swing behind Button if he starts to win races there, or are they too firmly entrenched in Hamilton's anal crevice to move now?

[Keane16]

First session of the hearing today, appalling stuff.

I have to say, I've lost an incredible amount of respect for McLaren over the course of the last few months.

[Reflectorboy]

McLaren's appeal rejected and rightly so. They are a scum. They are lucky not to be disqualified after stealing data from Ferrari and they have the guts to appeal after they themselves have broken the rules for using more set of tyres than regulated. Should they be penalized for that too? Twats.