2006, possible Fernando's greatest year by becoming the youngest double world champion at the time, he beat Schumacher at his prime, he was the chosen heir to "dominate F1" possibly against the likes of Kimi, Kubica and Massa. Going to his dream team McLaren in 2007... it looked to be the case, surely it would be plain sailing? But after a bad tenure with McLaren + Lewis and no WDC to show for it, left him without a decent enough car to fight for the WDC for 2 years at Renault and 3 years had passed since he won the WDC. Ferrari though looked to be the cure to get his career back on track, he had Massa under control and Ferrari behind him all the way, but another young talent stole what could of been his twice over 3 years. Sebastian Vettel with the power of Red Bull behind him was taking everything with regards to records and made sure Alonso didn't get that 3rd world title. 2013 would be (year 7) for Alonso (Aged 33) to get the world title, if he doesn't do it next year is it all over for him? Rumours are that if he doesn't win the WDC soon he will either have to accept a stronger team mate or Ferrari will kick him out and replace him with Sebastian who could be a 4 time world champion next year if the same performances continue like this season for him. Ferrari were quick to replace Schumacher for Kimi even after all he did for them, and even though Kimi won the WDC in his first year with Ferrari the contract didn't last, in 2010 Alonso replaced him. 3 years on, no WDC or WCC for Ferrari, is Alonso's head on the block now? or is Vettel joining Ferrari now a forgone conclusion ending Alonso's career with only 2 WDC's? The expression on Alonso's face at Brazil when he failed to beat Vettel to the WDC spoke a thousand words, was the fear of the axe now one of them? Thoughts?
Frightening really, he could/should have won 2007 and 2010 and unbelievably if a couple of things had played out differently in Spa he could have nicked it this year as well! A double WDC that could have been a 5 x WDC.
He's like the Will Power of F1, only much better. I've always said that he's also a bit like fine wine; just gets better with age. He's got a lot more mental strength and character than people give him credit for, but everyone seems to want to hang 2007 over his head. Just as well he ignores it
Hes still got plenty of years and driving superbly. Ferrari just need to work hard over the winter. I remember when Michael came to Ferrari and had quite a few of almost seasons (3rd-1996, 2nd-1997, 2nd-1998, 2nd in 1999 before injury) then BOOM!
As has been pointed out, he could have been a 5xWDC by now. What you put the failure of either Mclaren driver to win in 2007 down to is up to you, but it's difficult to argue that he wouldn't have won in 2010 had DRS been around at the time, and that Grosjean's crash in Spa this year brought Vettel back into a championship battle that at the time he looked like having no right to be in. It will all depend on how Ferrari get on next year. The fact that they're allegedly looking at bringing Vettel in for 2014, however, hardly bodes well for their current incumbent.
He's contracted until 2016. Given his form, as long as the car is up to standards all throughout the season, he could be a 6x WDC. It's not all over yet, he's only getting stronger year on year.
Being 33 is not an issue. People seem to like to start throwing a drivers age and retirement around after 32 ish but I don't see why. After 30 they are pretty experienced and some of the best drivers on the grid are 30+ Alonso, Raikkonen and Button. And Alonso is getting better and better with each passing year. De la Rosa and Schumacher have been doing a decent enough job in their 40's i don't think age is the issue, The issue is that it doesn't look like Adrian Newey wants to ever leave Red-Bull.
He's only 31, so still has a few years to go before he slows down. Webber is 36 and still going strong. Schumacher nearly won an eight championship aged 37. The sources that revealed Vettel's option with Ferrari also said that Alonso approved it, so Alonso is not about to be replaced. Also Ferrari didn't choose to replace Schumacher, they were going to replace Massa but then Schumacher decided to retire. If Ferrari believe a rival driver is better than their own driver, they will try to sign that rival driver. Even if Montezemolo secretly thinks Vettel is the best driver on grid, as long as Massa is Alonso's teammate there's no chance of Alonso being replaced. As for Alonso's future, two times out of three he's been a championship contender, and all three years the car was not the quickest. As soon as Ferrari give him a competitive car, the titles will come.
He's a choker, twice he's come off track in the last race in Brazil, did it in 07 when he could've won the WDC and again yesterday, when he went off track twice (in the same place as he did in 07). The Ferrari was never as bad as it's been made out to be except maybe in the first races, was outqualified, and raced, by Massa in the last 2 races when he needed good performances, unless Ferrari give him a dominant car 2 WDCs is all he'll get.
If anyone choked yesterday, it was Vettel. He had a worse start than Webber (that is worthy of being hanged) and then spun it through his own fault, luckily the people infront of him were his 3 team mates or germans to just let him through.
over a season isn't losing a WDC in the last race twice through unforced errors, he lost 2007 title in EXACTLY the same place and circumstances as he went off yesterday, when he went off yesterday he was 3rd and Vettel out of the points, potential WDC winning position, and he choked and went off track with no pressure from anyone. It isn't what you do during the season that makes you a choker, it's what you do at the business end, and Alonso has a habit of losing titles in the last race.
The Ferrari's were a minute ahead. There was no way he'd have beaten them without an issue. We all know Webber is the worst starter of all time
I respect Alonso but this drought is of his own making, if he had been more mature and considered he would not of let things at McLaren escalate to the point that they did. If he had remained there he would probably be a 4xWDC by now but instead he has spent two wasted years at Renault and is at a Ferrari team who based on the way they have fallen behind in development this year could be starting next season with the 4th best car. I have enormous respect for the way he dragged his Ferrari round this year, and for that reason they will not be sacking him anytime soon, but I have little sympathy for his WDC drought. He made his bed now he's got to lie in it, although I am sure some on here may disagree
Maybe you should think about your definition of choking. And regarding "spun it through its own fault". Pathetic. Bruno Senna himself a while after the race: ---- Bruno Senna was more contrite about his first lap accident in the BBC forum than he was during the race. Coming down the straight to Lake Descent he was behind Raikkonen, and Di Resta with Vettel two places in front. He made a move on Raikkonen, tried to get DiResta and thumped into Vettel. It wasn't an overtaking move it was a total misjudgement. As Bruno confessed afterwards: "When I saw it was Sebastian I thought - uhoh, that's a bad one." ----
I watched that interview and Bruno did not admit fault. I think that's from the sky article and its poor journalism to take that out of context since he said about 4 seconds before "i made the apex, nothing wrong with that" It looked clear cut Bruno's fault on the first viewing, but having looked at it a bit more there's no innocent party.
