Ferrari needed a podium today to give them back a bit of momentum and morale to help them energise their season. Alonso stood up and did this today with a terrific race while Massa, at a track he is good at slipped back into 11th place and to put that in perspective both Buemi and Kobayashi finished above him depsite starting 16th and 24th respectively. So if Massa is unable to deliver when Ferrari most need him to and Alonso can and does, I think that Alonso deserves to be numero uno at Ferrari and it also the most logical thing to do.
It was mostly down to bad luck for coming 11th tbh. Alonso was only driver to be within 40secs of Red Bull so I agree with you.
Alonso was amazing today. The Red Bull is very superior on pure downforce, yet Alonso caught up, and then overtook Webber. His pace vs Vettel wasn't bad either, and Vettel wasn't able to drive off into the distance. He was easily the best driver of the day imo. It wasn't just the podium, but also the quick lap times, good tyre management and overtaking a Red Bull that made his performance so special. Massa was good today, but Alonso was in another league. Ferrari should wait a few more races so see what the situation is with their drivers in the championship. If Alonso extends his lead over Massa and continues to drive like he did today, he should be made No.1
Alonso had a great race and got my vote for Driver of the Day in spite of Vettel making no mistake whilst sailing off into the Red Bull sunset… But I do not agree in principal with what I see as the unsporting concept of a number 1 driver. In my view, no-one in this day and age 'deserves' such status. It is something which should always be earned; never be preserved as a 'right'; and subjected to veto by a team mate who shows more pace. In other words they should always be given equal machinery and equal opportunity. In fact if you go back a few years, the FIA had a 'policeman' watching McLaren's every move for favouritism toward one of its drivers. But of course, such a bizarre policing 'rule' has never applied to Ferrari and was effectively instigated by them! Hmm…
I never actually saw Fernando put a foot wrong, same can be said for Webber but when you can consider what Ferrari's situation on Friday and saturday was like you really have to give Fernando a hand to taking it to both Red Bull's, eventhough vettel looked able to manage his tyres FAR! better and still pull a gap, It's scary tbh. Yes vettel's come of age at the right time but he hasn't even hit 24 yet, really he should be peaking around 25-27.
I think Alonso has put his doubters back in their place once again. After all the comments of 'Lack of abition', 'Bad starts of the line', 'Not deserving of Ferrari #1 status' and 'Not a good developer of a car' we got to see Fernando at his prime. I think if the next updates in Barcelona give out what they promise then Alonso could be in position for a victory. My fingers are crossed. =)
Cant wait for Spain in 2 weeks time, Ferrari will have sorted out their problems almost completely, and it's his home track. I believe Fernando will make Vettel's next drive his hardest yet. Who said the season was done and dusted?
i dont know about Spain (downforce needed, RB should win easily) but maybe in monaco. Which he maybe would have won last year, if he didnt crash in practice as he was fastest in every session beforehand when Ferrari dont normally show their pace. Just imagine in Monaco what Kubica could have done. Podium from 2nd last year. Alonso I believe will win in Monaco but not Spain.
To be as candid as possible, I cannot see any track where Red Bull will not hold the strongest hand in 2011. For any gamblers, I believe it's worth putting a lot of early money on Vettel (if you can still find anyone offering a book on it!).
When a gulf becomes as big as it is between them two, there should be a number 1 and 2 and when Massa leaves at the end of the season hopefully FA will be challenged a bit
You hope that Alonso will be challenged but in the same sentence say that Massa should not be allowed to because he is not good enough?… Surely this imposes an artificial barrier to Massa's potential improvement which would seem to have little point if he is not allowed to challenge? This is the very problem cultivated in the Ferrari camp: it is demotivating; particularly with a sensitive, perhaps mentally vulnerable driver like Massa. If they have him in the team, it should be for the right reasons. And if it is not for the right reasons, he should be replaced…
