Alonso has signed with Renault.

Let the rest of the pieces fall where they may and let's start talking about 08!

 

Quote:

"Renault has won the race," El Mundo declared, referring to recent speculation of the double world champion's links with Red Bull, Toyota and Honda.

The article says Alonso will be the highest-paid F1 driver, which makes it sound to me that Renault out-bid themselves. I can't imagine Alonso would have signed with any of those other 3 teams regardless of the money. Once a driver spends a few seasons struggling with a mid-pack (or lower) team, he'll never make it back to the top tier. Renault was Alonso's only real option.

 

But, but, but.... it's not 2008 yet!

 

Back with Renault

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlin...7/12/7167.html

What the heck is Shumi doing with Ferrari now?

Asked if he will spearhead the technical development of the car, 38-year-old Schumacher answered: "I do not believe I am responsible for that"

 

Testing and evaluating.

 

Wow, if you really enjoy watching the fur fly, check out the SPEED forums.

http://insider.speedtv.com/viewforum.php?f=15

 

Yup, I watch those. They make NAM look civil.

 

They name NAM look like Mother Teresa

 

Now Renault got b1tched at for having secret documents from someone, I forget who, but were not penalized because they showed no increase in performance from having them. Sounds like the FIA said we're not gonna fine you because you still sucked this year even with those documents.

 

It's the Heikki & Hammy Show! Or wait, maybe Hammy & Heikki Show.

 

From the BBC:

"Last Updated: Friday, 14 December 2007, 15:35 GMT

Finland's Kovalainen left Renault after one season
Finland's Heikki Kovalainen has joined McLaren and will race alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
The 26-year-old, who scored 30 points in his maiden F1 season with Renault, has signed a "long-term contract".

"I think Lewis and Heikki will be a formidable combination," said McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh. "I am confident they'll work well together."

Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa, who had been vying with Kovalainen for a race seat, will remain as test driver.

McLaren were left looking for a second driver after Fernando Alonso left the team to return to Renault following a turbulent season in which he fell out with boss Ron Dennis and Hamilton.


Norbert Haug, vice-president of McLaren's engine partner Mercedes, said he was confident Hamilton and Kovalainen would form a strong partnership.

"Everybody in the team is looking forward to a very fruitful co-operation," he said.

"Lewis and Heikki will form one of the youngest driver line-ups, and I am convinced that both will be very strong and at the same time co-operative competitors."

Kovalainen - who has written a regular column for the BBC Sport website this year - had already been linked with a move to McLaren when it was confirmed earlier in December that Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr would fill the race seats at Renault next season.

By joining McLaren, Kovalainen follows in the footsteps of fellow Finns Keke Rosberg, Mika Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen.


We will do everything we can to ensure that our championship challenge is as strong and focused as possible

"It's an honour for me to follow in Mika and Kimi's footsteps," he said.

"I haven't really spent a lot of time with Lewis so far but from what I know I think we will work well together and do our best for the team."

Hamilton, 22, welcomed Kovalainen's arrival.

"I am really looking forward to 2008 and working with Heikki as my team-mate," said the Briton, who finished second in last season's championship.

"Together with the team we will do everything we can to ensure that our championship challenge is as strong and focused as possible." "

 

I think it's gonna be a good year in F1 in 2008, and I'm looking frward to it. BMW will be a factor this year along with Ferrari. The mid pack will be thick with Red Bull, Renault, Toyota and maybe even Honda, leaving Farce India to act as rolling chicane.

McLaren is a question mark to me this year, I think the FIA actions have hurt them, but I'm hoping both H&H can wave to Alonso as they pass him......

 

I don't think Renault will be mid pack running with Alonso back. He's an excellent development driver, and brought them two WCC's.

 

I agree with Grommit.

Put Renault's lackluster 2007 down to the switch from Michelins to Bridgestones. Heikki showed us that Renault is still competitive.

Let's go Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr. the Hammie and Heikki show is one tough act to follow.

 

Boys will be boys.

 

Did anyone see the Hamster on Top Gear? He drove the lap like everyone else and he was faster on a rainy slick track than many others were in the dry! He's smooth, that's for sure.........

 

Q: What's in your garage at home?
Nick Heidfeld: A BMW X5, a BMW 5er Touring 4WD, a Mini Cooper S, a Lotus Exige, a 1967 Beetle Cabriolet, a BMW Enduro motorbike, a Harley Davidson and some racing and mountain bikes.

The rest.

 

Renault will come back and it will be a matter of time. This is a team with modest budget yet has won many races and 2 world titles. Alonso will do everything to redeem and prove himself now that he is comfortable to focus 100%. Ferrari will still be hard to beat.

 

Sato returns to Super Aguri!

Yay SATO! He's the kind of personality F1 needs more of. Davidson is a great guy too. Sato passing Alonso in Canada last year was one of the best moments of the season.

Hey Taku! Good on ya, mate!

 

Ok, most fun team ever in F1: Hesketh Racing.

Lord Hesketh, Bubbles Horsley, and James Hunt.

The parties were legend.

 

From ITV:

 

Looks less of an F1 car, than an F-15. Or maybe Eurofighter.

 

That overhead shot makes it look like some kind of alien bug.............I like it!

 

I was thinking the same thing!!!

 

Alonso will drive like a man possessed this year I can't wait