Two questions- Alonso where in 2008? Best upcoming stars in F1?

Question

Where do you think Fernando will end up in 2008? Everyone's saying he's done his dash with McLaren but what are his options? Renault is the most obvious but it doesn't look like it will be a front runner going on this year's results. Also, who do you see as the stars of the future among NEW drivers? I think Lewis has already proved his worth. I would say maybe Sebastian Vettel ( you have to compare a driver against his teammate - not against another car). Any thoughts?

Ian M. I would agree (although I am Australian). I think Mark is a bit like Jenson Button - a great driver who always picks the wrong team. I think RBR could be a big improver next year with Adrian Newey's input.

Thanks everyone. Might leave this open for a while. As always, well thought-out answers. Also, good spelling and grammar - unlike some other areas of the forum. Not naming names!

Answer 1

Nico, Heikki and Vettel. They are sure to shine, well Vettel at least. If Alonso is to leave the team, then he'd be more likely to bank it up on Renault. That's his only chance. BMW got their drivers already, Ferrari locked the deal with theirs and a small chance in McLaren, so the answer would be Renault.
edit:
RebBull you mean Sebastian Bourdais? If I'm not mistaken he wears glasses, the night race would be treachrous for him, I'm serious since I wear glasses too, I can say first hand.
And, if I'm not mistaken, Robert Kubica can't exactly be called a new driver since he's been racing for one and a half season right?...

Answer 2

Hard to say that Renault will not be competitive next year based on this season. Last year's Mclaren did not win a race and look at what they did this year. Of course there will always be a question surrounding the legitimacy of their turnaround, given the spy scandal and all.

Anyway, I think Alonso will be back at Renault. He might have already turned down $57 million per year from Toyota. Ferrari doesn't look like an option.

As for young drivers, I think Vettel is the best of the bunch. He has shown results in a slower car. Nelson Piquet Jr. could be great like his father.

I doubt think what Hamilton has done is nearly as impressive as some many people claim. He had a very good car, arguably the best. For all the talk about how he is faster than his teammate, an unhappy Alonso outscored him by 15 pts. after the French GP. This included a silly penalty Alonso got in Hungary.

Answer 3

I hope Alonso either returns to Renault or perhaps BMW might be a good option...but if it's not either of those then sadly he'd probably be best off at McLaren even though he's been treated badly this year.

I can't believe those of you who said he won 2005 and 2006 because of other's misfortunes. Would you say the same about Kimi this year? I don't think so. Of course someone is going to gain points if they finish a race and someone else retires...Alonso won in 2005 and 2006 because he is talented and a great driver who knows how to create a good and reliable car. Why do you think Renault went from being nowhere to world champions in those 2 years and now McLaren went from not winning a single race (last year) to winning around half of them this year? Seems like more than just a coincidence to me...He probably would've won this year if he had the team behind him instead of racing against him like Ron Dennis said they were. Those of you who say he had bad behavior, well yes he did, but hello can't you see the reasons why?

Answer 4

Alonso isn't really that special. Think about it, he only won the championship in 2005 because of Kimi's misfortunes. Likewise in 2006, Schumacher had a few retirements so Alonso got ahead.

Sebastian Vettel will be one to watch, especially in the rain. Also Bourdais, as he has been champ car champion for 4 consecutive years. The Toro Rosso team will also have more money this year because they scored a few points last year. There may be some surprises next year.

Kovalainen might be good as well, just hope Renault get the car right. Same with Button.

Answer 5

nobody knows where Alonso will be but he should go to BMW. they need him to get them over the top and compete with McLaren and Ferrari. actually, i don't know if McLaren can remain at the top if they lose Alonso


additional comment:
you can't say Alonso won because Kimi and Michael had retirements. thats the nature of the sport. Kimi won because Lewis Hamilton had 2 bad races at the end of the season. and if Alonso finished 7th or better in Japan, he would have been champion this year. every year where there's a close battle it always comes down to one driver's troubles, so its not an excuse. Renault had a reliable car and a very good driver. Fisichella was driving a Renault but he wasn't even in the middle of the championship race. its all about Alonso's talent

Answer 6

I think he will either stay at McLaren or go back to Renault. It is possible that he may go to Toyota but I don't think he would because they do not have a good car and is not a top team.

He has said that Renault is not his first choice right now but he might weigh the pros and cons. After all, they made it no secret that they would be delighted to have him back again and he won his two titles with them. Why not try for a third there?

I think Vettel is good except for the mistake he made which caused Mark Webber to be out of the race. Kubica is also good. I think Anthony Davidson has potential as well. Some of the test drivers should be given the opportunity to drive to show their talent.

Answer 7

Alonso has a Renault option but he's not going for it yet. I don't think he'll stay at McLAren. Maybe he'll go to Toyota. I'm not sure which other teams have an opening for him. But if he can't find anywhere else I think he'll eventually return to Renault.

Stars of the future.... Possibly Vettel. HE hasn't done too badly. Bourdais (both are named Sebastien, eh? So we'll see) could be one to look out for. It's not certain yet if Bruno Senna will join F1 next year but when he does, people will be expecting something out of him.

Answer 8

Fernando Alonso will be playing silly mid-on for the McLaren factory cricket team in 2008, along with Nigel Stephney and Mike Coughlin (wicketkeeper and fast bowler respectively as well as text-messaging experts) and Darrell Hair will umpire all the McLaren Twenty20 matches.
With a quartet like that, McLaren is sure to be crowned 2008 Formula One Cricket Champions.
As for upcoming stars, perhaps Atte Mustonen and Marco Asmer from the British Formula Three series, if and when they get to F1.

Answer 9

I think Alonso will stay put- he doesn't want a move back to Renault and Ferrari have given Massa a new contract, so unless he wants to take a step down to a slower team, he HAS to stay put.

As for up and coming drivers, I think Kovalienin had a good year in a comparatively slow car and the best is yet to come from him. Massa has a good car and with a bit of luck (he didn't always get the run of it this year) he could turn the title race into a four-car battle next year.

Answer 10

Alonso anywhere but McLaren!
Hamilton and Rosberg Kubica and Vettle good to watch next year. Can't wait for the next season to start. Will have to be content with A1GP it is exciting. Especially as we have a fast Kiwi racing Go Black Beauty!