Fernando Alonso: McLaren target Ferrari driver for next season - Page 2

321Go · 21 Sep 2013, 22:52 (Ref:3307191)

I think, come 2015, McLarens driver line up could have two experienced, and top rated drivers. Honda wants it, and is apparently prepared to pay for it. McLaren wanting to have options on both their current drivers for 2015 says that they are preparing themselves in case a top driver/s become available at the end of 2014.

Lewis and Vettel are locked in at their current teams until the end of 2015. Fernando till 2016. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't move teams, because as we know contracts don't mean much in F1. Lewis coming back in 2015??

If McLaren are indeed chasing a pair of top drivers for the Honda era, where does that leave their junior drivers such as Stoffel Vandoorne and Kevin Magnussen? When will they be in the picture for a drive with the team?

**Aysedasi** · 22 Sep 2013, 09:34 (Ref:3307319)

I can certainly see Lewis going back at some point.

321Go · 22 Sep 2013, 09:46 (Ref:3307334)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I can certainly see Lewis going back at some point.

I tend to agree. I would have a wild guess and say Lewis will be back at McLaren beginning of 2016, after a year of Honda to evaluate.

Word from Singapore is Ron Dennis has commented that he misses Lewis being in the McLaren garage, and would be open for discussion about a return to McLaren.

**chunterer** · 22 Sep 2013, 10:05 (Ref:3307343)

This is all very well but should either of the current drivers get the job done next year, they won't need to change. However I agree that they already have it in mind to remove one.

**chunterer** · 22 Sep 2013, 10:15 (Ref:3307347)

Mark Hughes is even suggesting in the Sunday TImes that the decision may already have been made to replace Checo for next season and that Checo has parted company with his manager Adrian Fernandez.. The thinking being that they may well promote Kevin or Stoffel

I still find this unlikely, unecessary and an extreme action if it ends up happening.

davyboy · 22 Sep 2013, 10:28 (Ref:3307348)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I can certainly see Lewis going back at some point.

Me too. For whatever reason Lewis just doesn't seem himself at Mercedes at the moment.

321Go · 22 Sep 2013, 11:22 (Ref:3307362)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunterer

Mark Hughes is even suggesting in the Sunday TImes that the decision may already have been made to replace Checo for next season and that Checo has parted company with his manager Adrian Fernandez...

Fernandez is no longer Sergio's manager, that bit is true. Fernandez is not in Singapore, first time he has not attended a GP since becoming Sergio's manager.

Sergio's Mexican dollars will not be as valuable as it is now once Honda enters. So right now, McLaren will keep Checo for one more season. And then wave bye to him at the end of 2014. That's what I believe.

Teretonga · 22 Sep 2013, 11:40 (Ref:3307372)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 321Go

Fernandez is no longer Sergio's manager, that bit is true. Fernandez is not in Singapore, first time he has not attended a GP since becoming Sergio's manager.

Sergio's Mexican dollars will not be as valuable as it is now once Honda enters. So right now, McLaren will keep Checo for one more season. And then wave bye to him at the end of 2014. That's what I believe.

I think you are mistaken if you think Honda are going to bankroll McLaren....
That is not happening now nor in 2015

321Go · 22 Sep 2013, 11:47 (Ref:3307373)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teretonga

I think you are mistaken if you think Honda are going to bankroll McLaren....

I think you are mistaken if you think I said Honda are going to bankroll McLaren.

Teretonga · 22 Sep 2013, 13:38 (Ref:3307411)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 321Go

I think you are mistaken if you think I said Honda are going to bankroll McLaren.

McLaren lose Vodafone at the end of the year. Anything Perez will influence in income will count for McLaren.

**Born Racer** · 22 Sep 2013, 15:03 (Ref:3307463)

Everyone seems to be talking since these latest stirrings popped up about Dennis promising Alonso number 1 status, but I've never seen anything in stone. Can anyone definitively prove this or are we left to speculate?

Quote:

Alonso was angry at the time that then team principal Ron Dennis had promised him priority status and then not delivered it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula-one/24171278

And I remember another site (sorry, I can't find the link) which said something akin to "it is now widely assumed that Alonso was offered number 1 status, which was not given to him".

wnut · 23 Sep 2013, 04:47 (Ref:3307955)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Everyone seems to be talking since these latest stirrings popped up about Dennis promising Alonso number 1 status, but I've never seen anything in stone. Can anyone definitively prove this or are we left to speculate?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula-one/24171278

And I remember another site (sorry, I can't find the link) which said something akin to "it is now widely assumed that Alonso was offered number 1 status, which was not given to him".

I think that Alonso assumed he would be given No.1 status, and failed to see the "rookie" as a credible threat!

If anyone thinks that with Ron as chairman of the McLaren group, but not on the McLaren F1 board, has no say in what happens in a subsidiary they are smoking something illegal, and have never worked for a subsidiary company.

BTW, what is Uncle Ron's shareholding percentage in the McLaren group?

321Go · 12 Oct 2013, 04:08 (Ref:3316559)

It isn't Fernando that McLaren have been targeting it seems. A certain RBR head of aerodynamics is said to re-join McLaren in 2015. Horner is not happy at all and is trying to block the move. The certain head of aerodynamics has been put on garden duty apparently and hasn't been seen with the team since the last race.

wnut · 12 Oct 2013, 04:21 (Ref:3316562)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 321Go

It isn't Fernando that McLaren have been targeting it seems. A certain RBR head of aerodynamics is said to re-join McLaren in 2015. Horner is not happy at all and is trying to block the move. The certain head of aerodynamics has been put on garden duty apparently and hasn't been seen with the team since the last race.

Who are you talking about?

Peter Prodromou?

321Go · 12 Oct 2013, 04:35 (Ref:3316565)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnut

Who are you talking about?

Peter Prodromou?

That's all I know ATM. Not sure exactly who it is. The said person is said to have a long term contract with RBR.

Whitmarsh did say McLaren will announce a "headline grabbing signing" a couple of races ago. Surely it cannot be Newey? Could it?? Because that would definitely be headline grabbing. Not so much Prodromou.

wnut · 12 Oct 2013, 04:44 (Ref:3316566)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 321Go

That's all I know ATM. Not sure exactly who it is. The said person is said to have a long term contract with RBR.

Whitmarsh did say McLaren will announce a "headline grabbing signing" a couple of races ago. Surely it cannot be Newey? Could it?? Because that would definitely be headline grabbing. Not so much Prodromou.

That was what I was wondering about, what on earth would you have to offer Newey for him to leave RBR, and also why would he leave such a well funded, stable, successful and pleasant environment?

321Go · 12 Oct 2013, 04:48 (Ref:3316568)

Newey is in need of a new challenge??

Come to think of it, haven't seen Newey at the track since Korean GP.

**Adam43** · 12 Oct 2013, 10:06 (Ref:3316638)

Or he's designing the new car and not spending a lot of time traveling.

wolfhound · 12 Oct 2013, 11:32 (Ref:3316655)

It is Peter Prodromou according to Autosport.
He might have a year's gardening leave as he is not due to move until the end of next year!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/110581

With more to come it seems, McLaren are on a recruitment drive.

Mr V · 12 Oct 2013, 11:39 (Ref:3316658)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 321Go

Newey is in need of a new challenge??

Come to think of it, haven't seen Newey at the track since Korean GP.

Horner said he's on the pit wall this weekend. I honestly see Newey's next challenge as designing boats for Red Bulls assault on the Americas Cup

**Adam43** · 12 Oct 2013, 11:42 (Ref:3316660)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfhound

It is Peter Prodromou according to Autosport.

No, it's Newey, he's not in Japan. Is Mark Hughes still adamant, to three decimal places, that Alonso is going to McLaren next year? Will there be any drivers or designers left for the other teams?

BSchneiderFan · 12 Oct 2013, 13:49 (Ref:3316684)

Well, McLaren are saying it's Prodromou.

djinvicta · 12 Oct 2013, 18:09 (Ref:3316757)

Hmmm. Sounds good if its Adrian. Chop that one finger clean off

davyboy · 12 Oct 2013, 19:51 (Ref:3316795)

Quote:

Originally Posted by djinvicta

Hmmm. Sounds good if its Adrian. Chop that one finger clean off

If Newey went back to McLaren whose to say Vettel wouldn't go there too

Not sure either will happen though.

**Bononi** · 12 Oct 2013, 23:19 (Ref:3316860)

Uhn... Newey back to McLaren, what kind of new challenge that could be ?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Alonso to Ferrari and Webber to McLaren...	williamsf1	Formula One	1	29 Sep 2007 17:14
Is Fernando Alonso losing it?	wheadon	Formula One	113	17 Jun 2007 12:08
McLaren: De La Rosa Can Be Teammate To Fernando Alonso	Caltex Racing	Formula One	3	31 Jul 2006 17:15
Fernando Alonso in Manila!! :)	f1grandprixshop	Formula One	7	5 Oct 2004 23:25
Fernando Alonso	nane	Formula One	28	6 Sep 2000 01:11