Do you think Alonso wiil switch to Honda (why)?

Question

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/04082008/58/alonso-set-7-6m-honda-switch.html

Will Honda be better than Renault in 2009? Surely Just judging by last weekends grand prix, Renault would be a better bet?

Answer 1

Looking at his past form, you'd have to think that he IS going for the story to have made it into the press. Maybe he wants to do at Honda what Schumacher did at Ferrari; it would certainly be a challenge.

Answer 2

After Glock's Performance this week He might

But Alonso has too many loves at Renault

He won his Championships there after all

It would be interesting

But I think Mark Webber is going to get a huge roll next year

Answer 3

well looking at the present situation.....staying at renault would be better(he has no where to go...Mclaren-no seat,Ferrari-no seat,BMW-no seat[i think]....).....but again HONDA is not a bad idea....rather i would say a brilliant idea....jenson button would become an brilliant and competitive team mate and honda has the resources but their efforts are not gettin in the proper direction...alonso's entry could make things change...for good......my intuition says ....Honda+Alonso would be brilliant...as Renault team is really very stingy(if not team at least the CEO of renault Auto. Carlos Goshn...who isn't much keen on investing in f-1) hence they have been running in a bad form ...mainly due to lack of proper development due to limited funds.....

Answer 4

Honda have lots of resources which is tempting.

It's true they have been mostly wasting them.

But by signing Ross Brawn last year they showed intentions of pulling things together.

If they want Alonso(which makes sense long term to them) it can only mean that they mean business.

I'm sure Alonso has taken note of that.

Renault are a winning team that will probably crawl back up but they don't have as many resources.

Even at their best they only cut it marginally in terms of funding.

Once the Japanese, Honda or Toyota manage to achieve success building their own chassis apart from the engine like they had been doing for so many years they won't look back again.

Thing is Alonso is still not sure and does not want long term.

It only makes sense for Honda to sign him for long term, they don't have the car right now, they want to build it around him.

It's a big risk and Alonso has already wasted precious time last year.

I think he'll look for a contract with an option to get out of it.

Honda will be reluctant to give him that so I don't know how that's going to work out.

Jenson, I don't believe he's going to stick around if they sign Alonso.

He needs a new challenge and a competitive car like right now, he'll see the signing of Alonso as a vote of no confidence which is all he will need to move on to another team.

I suppose he'll be in some demand and able to get a good drive, perhaps at Renault.

Now just a thought, could I be all wrong?

Could it be that the challenge of thrashing the two time world champion will appeal to Button a lot more and decide to stay for another year to do just that?

Maybe he'll feel that will promote him as a driver better than anything else?

Alonso may be a top notch driver but Button has the pace to beat him speed wise, I think he believes so.

Hmmmm.

Honda surely would like to keep both to push each other but Alonso will not have any of that.

I'm sure it will be in his contract who the #1 is in the team.

Jenson won't have any of that either and move on.

Answer 5

Why would he move to Honda when he is clearly happy at Renault. He should stay there. With him he can make the team championship material again.

Answer 6

He would do better to hold out for Kimi's seat at Ferrari.

I do think that Honda would also do well to look for some up and coming talent like Glock and Piquet for Ross Braun to work his magic with.

Answer 7

I read this on planetf1.com if true i can't see him signing a long term contract ,he wants to be at ferrari.

I read somewhere that he had been spotted looking for a house near the Marnello factory ,but i don't know if that true or wishful thinking on someone's behalf.

Answer 8

i think he will switch coz he is not happy here.  will it be the best move- prob not.  yes honda will give money and ross brawn, but if his plans are to get into ferrari after a year, honda will not invest much in him either.  lets wait and see.  

Answer 9

I don't see why anyone would change teams at the end of this year.  The new regulations effectively mean that everyone is starting on an even keel next season.  New tyres, new aero, KERS.  Perhaps Alonso feels that Renault aren't doing enough work on next year's car.

If he's expecting to move to Ferrari in 2010 - he might as well just stay where he is until then...

Answer 10

i like the idea, we have already seen what brawn can do with divas who have exceptional talent, and don't forget next year is almost back to square one as far as car designs, wider bodies on slicks, limited ground effects and reduced aero grip as well as the possibility of the sketchy KERS next year might be the best year to move to honda since they bought out BAR, aside from the power train the existing evolution of f1 cars is over, so if one was to make the move to a new team in the hopes of bringing them up the ranks, its best to start with a clean slate

how ever, a few weeks ago when asked if Alonso goes to ferrari who is gone the easy answer was massa, but after the last few races, I'm not so sure of that, if kimi doesn't start qualifying better than 6th he may very well be out, I'm guessing alonso is going to see what ferrari decides before he sign any deal with honda

Answer 11

It will probably depend on how much Honda want him. Alonso will undoubtedly want a short-term deal because that's what he's like. He won't want to join a team and find that they're not going anywhere fast. If Honda value long term stability they will probably not sign Alonso. On the other hand he's clearly a great driver and could be very valuable.

I could definitely see it happening, but what will happen to the other seat? Surely Alonso will want assured no1 status, but would Button be okay with this? (assuming he is the one that stays, Barichello is surely nearing retirement soonish.) Button has stuck with the team, and if Honda get to the top only for him to be displaced or to play second fiddle to Alonso it will be a cruel justice.

Perhaps you may think Renault would be a better bet for Alonso, but it seems as though Honda are definitely on the up, whereas Renault could be going either way.

Answer 12

I'd like to see something happen to inject some life back into Honda. If it's Alonso, I can handle it. Brawn would be a huge incentive for any serious driver to switch.

I'd also like to see something happen to inject some life back into Button's career. He seemed so full of promise, but he only has the one victory to show for his entire career. Perhaps he doesn't have the talent, but I'd like to see him get a new start anyways.  

Answer 13

For a one year deal to take him up to the end of Kimis contract at Ferrari then I can believe it providing there are a million and one clauses in his (Alonsos) favour in order to escape Honda for Ferrari in 2010. As for who would leave in 2009 its tough to say I could see both leaving in all honesty Rubens because of his age and Honda need time and guys to stick with them through a revamp period which means Jens would keep the seat but if BMW get fed up with Nick then a Heidfeld and Button swap deal isnt out of the question so 2009 could well see -

BMW with Kubica and Button

Honda with Alonso and Heidfeld

and Rubens at Torro Rosso alongside Bruno Senna???

However if come 2010 and the Scuderia dont want him for what ever reason maybe they dont now but if he is not wanted then watch him aim for BMW to go for the 2010 title if Ferrari dont want him.

Failing all that in 2010 give him 3 years to make Honda his team like Ayrton did with McLaren and Michael with Ferrari and although it does take more than 3 years in truth if he can see the performance there then he will stay in order to emulate the two afformentioned men but if not just watch him retire and fade into the memories of F1

that is based on the assumption he is just biding his time till the end of Kimis Ferrari deal

Answer 14

Since the in the new year the car will change due to regulation and Honda has money to spend on that car it can make a surprise and even win the championship but if in the Renault factory persuete Alonso that the will spend the same money that Ferrari and Mclaren spend each year for winning the title then Alonso he is probable going to stay since if he stay for a second year in REnault he will get around to 34 millions I think.Honda from the other hand has a much greater person which makes the strategy of the team which Renault simce to has a very big problem with the strategy(remember last grand prix when he was 1.5 sec ahead of Kimi and when Raikonen got out of his stop he was ahead of Alonso).If we take in mind that Alonso wants and has the chance to go in Ferrari in 2010.But if in Renault change those things he is probable going to stay in my opinion

Answer 15

He'd be stupid to leave Renault again. I don't see any advantage other than Ross Brawn, and he took years to work his magic at Ferrari.

Answer 16

no

Answer 17

He should move to riding a bicycle ...

Answer 18

Not likely. It will be a stupid decision if he decides to do so. Renault is still doing better than Honda. If he switches and the Honda still proves to be worse than the Renaults, he'll be kicking himself. He should just stick with Renault for a few more years and be patient even if the car is not at its best. He could help with development instead of complaining about how poor the car is at times

The Renault isn't doing too badly. It's not the best in the field but they are getting there. They may soon regain their championship winning form. If Alonso hadn't been angry with McLaren, he would've been driving a really fast car this season and probably in contention for the championship

Answer 19

If the rumour is true then Alonso deserves whatever he gets for the rest of his career. He's already left Renault once and regretted it, maybe he should learn some lessons from that.

If he does go, it can only be because of Ross Brawn. Red Bull tried to sign him 2007 in an attempt to get Alonso to come too, and Brawn is the only thing worth anything at Honda (except for bucketloads of money, which they seem adept at wasting...). Brawn and money are the two things which Honda do better than Renault.

The interesting question would be whether it really would be Rubinho who went, or whether Button would decide that following Alonso around in equal cars didn't look like much fun...or they could both be released to bring Sato or Davidson back.

The one bright point of this news is that it's unlikely that Renault will change both drivers for next season, which means Nelsinho will definitely stay...Piquet/Button @ Renault in 2009?

Answer 20

Honda is definitely on the move. Ross Brawn will get them there. It will be a good move for Alonso even tho I cant stand him.

Answer 21

Alonso needs to realize, he can't just jump from team to team expecting to immediately win races and contend for the championship.  Renault has been doing better than Honda and it will most likely be the same next year.  Even with Ross Brawn at the helm, Honda still has more steps to climb then Renault.  Signing Alonso for just one year isn't going to help them very much if anything at all for that matter.  

Theres no doubt that Alonso wants to drive for Ferrari come 2010, but the only question is........will Ferrari want him?  He may be the best driver, but he comes with allot of unwanted baggage.  He's a cry baby and he gets unhappy very easily.  Thats the last thing Ferrari needs to deal with!  Its one mistake after another for Alonso, leaving Renault the 1st time, then ditching McLaren instead of patching things up with Dennis, Hamilton, and the team.  Leaving Renault for a 2nd time after just one year for Honda.

One thing that is for sure, he ditches Renault again, he'll never be welcomed back there.  He needs to be very careful on his next career move or he won't be F1 for much longer!

Answer 22

Renault have the World Championship well and truly behind them and appear to have rested on their laurels, but with Ross Brawn, Honda can only keep going upwards so it is understandable they would want a driver with Alonso's experience. As good as Jenson and Rubens are, they are lacking the ability to selfishly tailor the team into race winners and eventually title winners- something I think Alonso would revel in.

Although he was quite the bad guy last season, it is his driving that matters and he must be impressing all the right people for him to be linked to Ferrari also.

I wouldn't say he is perfectly happy at Renault. I'm sure he wants to be fighting the McLaren's and Ferrari's rather than the BMW's and Toyota's. I wish him well, he deserves it.

Answer 23

Unless he has something concrete from Ferrari it makes sense to keep his options open. Ross Brawn wants him and who knows what may happen with the new design of cars for 2009. Honda would however rquire a multi year deal.

I think it could happen if Honda can convince him they have a good package.

Edit. Read on the Autosport site that Honda are thinking of agreeing a one year deal in the hope he will opt to stay longer if they produce the goods.

If this happens I think he will definately go there.

Answer 24

I think that Honda are willing to take a risk and try and bag a big driver like Fernando... hoping that he sees the new infrastructure that Ross Brawn has put in as coming into its own next year... Honda have been disappointing this year, but is that because of their technical focus on next year's... or that they can't build a decent car around the current regulations.. or they're just not as good as they were in 2004/05/06 for whatever reason...

However, in every sport they've gone into.. Honda has always been the rising force (Motorbikes, Indycar, F1, F3 etc.) after a few shaky years.. so is this to be expected again... maybe...

I see Fernando and Jenson putting a decent car far up the grid next year...