Hello friends, since the departure of the Greatest Ever Formula 1 driver, Michael Schumacher this team has been on a downward spiral. They did win a driver and constructors title by default but have not hit the dizzying heights of Schumi’s reign.
The FIA has stepped in where possible to assist their beloved team but again and again, this has not helped them. They then hired the man who they thought could take them back to the top, Fernando Alonso and whilst he has been impressive, he just has not delivered.
We have heard about the issues with the wind tunnel, designers, etc., they even got rid of Aldo Costa who has been welcomed to Mercedes and is doing well and have tried to lure Adrian Newey which was rebuffed. They then provided Alonso with a long term contract giving him the undisputed number 1 status in the team to the detriment of Felipe baby.
Finally convinced that they needed another view and not a lap dog, they hired one of the most talented drivers on the grid who has struggled to adapt to a car that was built for Alonso as the results clearly show. Over the years we have heard excuse after excuse about the car not being up to scratch but when you look at things clearly without bias, they always seem to have decent race pace but quali lets them down.
This season for the first time in a while, they have genuinely struggled but in race trim, they still look very good. They are no longer an attractive option for a lot of drivers as world titles look galaxies away and the question I have is, what next for Ferrari?
They of course have a suite of options;
1) They look to replace Alonso with a driver who is fresh and hungry (Hamilton, Ricciardo, etc.)
2) Stop making excuses for incompetence
3) Maybe beg Ross Brawn to return and guide them out of this malaise or even
4) Get Jean Todt to change the rules and award first place to Ferrari no matter where they finish, something they do with prize money already
So, what say you guys? How can the prancing horse regain its mojo?
What next for Ferrari?
posted on 4/8/14
Why the hell would they replace Alonso? He's the best driver on the grid, replace the Pillocks who build the car
posted on 4/8/14
Not sure that statement is still accurate rave
posted on 4/8/14
His drive at the Hungaroring was as good as you'll see
posted on 4/8/14
Again, debatable. Very difficult track to overtake on and it was a gamble that paid off.
posted on 4/8/14
Cant see hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari. Vettel or Ricciardo. Ferrari have been awful for years if you take Schumacher's Ferrari years out of it.
posted on 4/8/14
ferrari have not been the same team since testing was drastically reduced from 2009 onwards as before that they were unique in having there own test track they could test every single component on the car to perfection , when that capability was taken away from them they have after 2008 been but a pale shadow of a once magnificent team with only the very brilliant alonso virtually carrying them on his own since 2010
------ without alonso they would have been exposed as little more than the mediocre team that they have been since 2009 that has been incapable of winning even a single race without him -
however ------- all that might change for 2015 when there new purpose built factory complete with new wind tunnel , logistics centre , new engineers , etc etc comes on line for there 2015 machine -
since 2009 they have tried everything from changing drivers , engineers , team principles , montezemolo giving everybody in a red shirt a boll/icking every 5 mins and nothing has worked to make them competitive -
personally i feel it is a combination of an ageing facilty at maranello and the loss of there own test track 24/7 that have really hurt ferrari with only the very brilliant alonso saving them from being completely exposed as the joke that they have become these last few yrs -
the link underneath from one of there designers for me just about sums up there capabilities of the last few yrs
http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/9403789/-Ferrari-weakness-fairly-clear-
posted on 5/8/14
I would say they need to keep hold of Alonso at all costs, but I say that as an Alonso fan so feel free to take it as you wish
posted on 5/8/14
I personally think Alonso is still one of the best if not the best but it must be damaging to him psychologically that year in year out he is surrounded by incompetence.
Want to see him at the sharp end and would really like to see him partner Ricciardo at RedBull. They will definitely take the fight to Mercedes. Ricciardo at the moment is just the one man battling against both Mercedes drivers
posted on 5/8/14
Agree with that point - must feel like he's trying to carry a whole team on his back.
Love Ricciardo, liked him at Torro Rosso but he's proven himself a bit of a star so far this year so the two of them together in a good car would be something special.
posted on 5/8/14
My Ferrari Prediction:
Alonso will ditch Ferrari and join McLaren under the promise of emulating Senna and Prost in leading a McLaren-Honda team to glory.
Ferrari will hire Nico Hulkenburg with the intention of hiring a middle-experience driver to learn from Raikkonen in preparation for No1 driver status.
When Raikkonen retires at the end of 2015, Jules Bianchi will join Ferrari to fill the void.