Is Lewis Hamilton leaving Ford?

neonfox65 said:How could anyone not be celebrating? Alonso is finally leaving that dumpster fire!!!🎉

Pure nonsense. Ferrari was supposed to be the crowning achievement of Alonso's career. Sure, they struggled to build a competitive car—aside from a decent run in 2010—but claiming it's a win just because he's escaping a disaster zone is foolish. Ferrari is an institution, regardless of their recent struggles. Every exit from there feels like a step down.

Besides, "stepping down" doesn't necessarily mean you aren't moving to a better, faster level....

graniteharbor502 said:It seems to me that Alonso signed on his own terms, provided there was a guarantee he'd be the number one driver.

I'm not so sure... Jenson Button isn't exactly at the peak of his powers right now, so I highly doubt Alonso views him as a threat. One might expect an attempt to shield himself from Vettel or Hamilton, but I find it unlikely he'd demand Button be moved out. However, it is a completely different matter whether McLaren wants to run two drivers who are both in the "twilight" of their careers.🤷

William Bennett53 said:I find myself wondering... is Jenson Button truly at the peak of his powers right now? To be honest, I highly doubt that Lewis Hamilton views him as any sort of threat on the track. While one might naturally expect a driver to prioritize defending their position against someone like Sebastian Vettel or Hamilton, I find it difficult to believe they would actually demand that Button be moved out of the way. However, that is a completely different matter entirely—whether McLaren genuinely intends to maintain two seasoned drivers well into their later years of competition. 🤷

It seems quite plausible that Jenson Button would be willing to accept a secondary role if it meant extending his tenure in Formula 1, wouldn't it? One has to wonder, though—would McLaren even have any semblance of a stable mid-term future by pairing up such an aging duo?

steelmaker83 said:It's nonsense. Ferrari was supposed to be the peak of Alonso's career. Sure, they couldn't build a competitive car most years (except maybe back in 2010), but claiming it's a good thing he's leaving because he's exiting a sinking ship is just stupid. Ferrari is an institution, period. And any departure from there is a step down.

That doesn't mean a "step down" isn't still a higher level than where he's heading...

I'm with you word for word.

At Ferrari, Alonso has a massive fanbase he won't find anywhere else.
The respect he commands there is huge, too.

McLaren?
A complete gamble and a giant question mark.
If he actually pulls the trigger on moving there, I'll take my hat off to him.

What a shame.

Without Alonso, Ferrari would have been in real trouble over these last few years.
Just look at the numbers from Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, and it's all pretty obvious.

Also—it’s clear there are really only two drivers worth considering as replacements.
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton? He’s too comfortable at Mercedes-Benz. That car is basically a space shuttle compared to the rest of the grid, and it likely stays that way for a few more seasons.
He isn't looking to jump ship.

Vettel? Renault is struggling, they don't even have Adrian Newey anymore, and now he’s getting pushed around by young Richard.
It’ll probably come down to a choice between Ferrari and McLaren-Honda.
If Honda doesn't build a monster engine, Vettel goes to Ferrari.

Such a pity.
The dream lineup would be Hamilton-Richard.
Honestly, I'd sign Hamilton-Bianchi right this second.

Actually... maybe Hamilton-Kvyat. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Jason Campbell70 said:The dream lineup would be Hamilton-Richard.

Ideal for whom?

It’s honestly surprising that Santander's mercenary, following the eras of Botin and Montezemolo, would even suggest this... a two-time world champion who seems terrified of a 50-50 status🙏

William Bennett53 said:I don't think you quite get it. Fans have honestly grown tired of pointing the finger at Ferrari just because Alonso didn't clinch that title.

And then they'll just go looking for someone else to blame...😁

William Bennett53 said:Both Alonso and Vettel are going to do everything in their power to avoid being teammates. Honestly, I think whoever signs first will be perfectly fine with that, because I highly doubt they won't be making it a condition of their contract to stay far away from the other.

The real question is who’s actually going to want to sign Alonso when there’s such a massive pool of new talent coming up through the ranks. I mean, don't get me wrong, he'll find a seat—that's never been the issue. But he might have to settle for being something other than the lead driver. Let's be honest: teams aren't exactly handing out massive paychecks for a number two role, and we all know how much Alonso demands.

graniteharbor502 said:It would have been something if Jenson Button had actually stuck around. Imagine him still being there, giving the Spaniard a run for his money. 😁

It would be nice, and honestly, it wouldn't even be impossible...🙂

Roger Wright94 said:I can't believe it.
McLaren is just such an old-school outfit. It’s definitely structured around a clear hierarchy where you have a designated number one driver and then a number two.
Alonso will go looking for that Number 1 status wherever he lands. It’s just who he is. That's a given.

Besides, Jenson Button really needs a perfectly dialed-in car to perform at his best, and there is no way this new McLaren is going to be that kind of machine. Honestly? I think he’s overpaid, and my gut tells me this isn't going to end well for him.

It doesn't smell right, but then again, Alonso is way overpriced too... So we end up right back where we started.

graniteharbor502 said:It seems to me that Alonso only signed if he was guaranteed the No.1 spot.

We'll just have to wait and see if it works out for him... Maybe it will, but it depends entirely on which team he lands in and who his teammate ends up being...

steelmaker83 said:That's nonsense. Joining Ferrari should have been the pinnacle of Alonso's career. Sure, they haven't quite mastered building a truly competitive car lately (aside from a decent run back in 2010), but saying it's a good thing he's leaving Ferrari because he's moving down the ladder is just silly. Ferrari is an institution, regardless of everything else. And leaving them always feels like a step down.

Then again, a step down doesn't necessarily mean it isn't still a high-level, fast environment...

Ferrari represents the peak for any modern driver, and walking away from them usually means leaving money on the table, too...

William Bennett53 said:I don't know... Button isn't exactly at the height of his powers right now, and I doubt Alonso views him as a threat. I'd expect him to worry about protecting himself against Vettel or Hamilton, but I doubt he'll ask for Button to be moved out. It's a different matter entirely whether McLaren wants two veteran drivers in their "twilight years."🤷

I suspect he doesn't want him there because Alonso already showed he couldn't hold his own against the young lion Hamilton when he retreated under pressure... There won't be a return to the old days; the team won't want him anymore either.

Jason Campbell70 said:It's a shame.

Without Alonso, Ferrari would have struggled significantly over the last few years.
Just look at the results from Mass and Raikkonen, and it's all very clear.

Also—it’s obvious that only two drivers are really in the running as replacements.
Hamilton and Vettel.

As for Hamilton—he’s far too comfortable at Mercedes. The Mercedes is a space shuttle compared to the rest of the field, and it likely stays that way for several more seasons.
He has no reason to switch teams.

Then there's Vettel—Renault is struggling, they've lost Adrian Newey, and he's getting pushed around by the young Richard.
It'll probably come down to a choice between Ferrari and McLaren-Honda.
And if Honda doesn't build a monster engine, Vettel is heading straight to Ferrari.

Such a shame.
The dream lineup would be Hamilton-Richard.
Actually, I'd sign Hamilton-Bianchi right this second.

Or even... Hamilton-Kvyat. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

You're daydreaming way too much here...

wiredscout14 said:Ideal for whom exactly?

It honestly baffles me. After the eras of Botin and Montezemolo, you'd think Santander's driver wouldn't be acting this way. We're talking about a two-time world champion who's clearly terrified of a 50-50 teammate situation. 🙏

He’s always been wary of that. He knows he can't hold his own against the young lions anymore. At this stage in his career, the window for another world title is closed, no matter where he lands...

Five years ago, Suzuki Fernando made the jump to become a driver for Ferrari. Now, five years later, he’s walking away from Ferrari and heading (it looks like) straight to McLaren-Honda—the exact setup where his hero Ayrton Senna used to tear it up, and just like Senna, Fernando Honda wants him as their absolute top priority. Honestly, how do you even say no to that after being put through the ringer at Ferrari?

We’ll just have to wait and see what the next season brings. Nobody can actually promise that Ferrari won't end up being faster than Honda.

But hey, a change of scenery might actually be exactly what he needs to thrive.

If I'm being totally honest, I’d much rather watch an Alonso - Kamui Kobayashi lineup over at McLaren

Instead of seeing Hulkenberg - Bianchi at Ferrari, though let's face it, that's impossible as long as that Finnish free spirit Kimi Raikkonen is still hanging around there.

Multiple Italian News on forums: "Ferrari denied Alonso any special perks regarding selecting his engineering crew or staff ahead of his teammate; they blocked any yearly exit clauses; they refused performance bonuses tied to points; and they insisted on an extension through 2018, otherwise he'd be stuck until his contract expired in January 2017"

Hulko.

darkmarlin16 said:Just five years ago, he made the jump from Suzuki Fernando to become a driver for Ferrari. Now, five years down the line, he’s leaving Ferrari—and if all signs point to the truth, he’s heading to McLaren-Honda. It’s the exact pairing his idol Ayrton Senna once enjoyed, and just as Fernando Honda wants for him, he’s their top pick. Honestly, how do you say no to that after everything he’s endured at Ferrari?

We'll just have to wait and see what next season brings. There's absolutely no guarantee that Ferrari won't end up being faster than Honda.

That said, a change of scenery might be exactly what he needs to thrive.

To be perfectly honest, I think an Alonso - Kamui Kobayashi lineup at McLaren would be quite something to watch.

And a Hulkenberg - Bianchi duo at Ferrari—though we all know that's impossible while that laid-back Finnish guy Kimi Raikkonen is still hanging around there.

I can't wait for Ferrari to start handing out reprimands next year, all while Alonso makes his great escape! 👏👏

darkmarlin16 said:At Ferrari, it’s a Hulkenberg - Bianchi situation, though that’s impossible as long as that Finnish drifter known as Kimi Raikkonen is still there.

Jason Campbell70 said:For all the enthusiasts and fans of that great American institution... wait, no, for the fans of this Italian Formula 1 powerhouse.

Naturally, not for the fanboys of the Finnish fraud.

50-50?
The Finnish fraud somehow scraped his way to a 65-35 result through sheer luck and pure struggle.
In their head-to-head, the ratio is 85-15.

50-50?
That Finnish loser has a long road ahead before he even touches a 50-50 split against the Maestro...

The losers deserve more respect for Ferrari's last champion. Just leave together and don't come back.

jadeseal7 said:Can't wait for Ferrari to start handing out much-needed reality checks next year once Alonso has made his exit. 👏👏

But what do you think the Tifosi would actually prefer to see?

Ferrari with Alonso acting as a secondary or even third driver...
Or just Ferrari without him, but winning championships?

Jason Campbell70 said:And what exactly do you think the Tifosi would prefer to watch?

Ferrari with Fernando acting as some kind of second or third-tier driver...
Or just Ferrari without him, but actually winning championships?

Look, any real Tifosi should just be incredibly grateful for Fernando. Seriously, the guy was out there pulling absolute miracles with whatever scrap heap they handed him.

Who is the frontrunner to step in for Lewis Hamilton?

steelmaker83 said:That’s just nonsense. Ferrari should have been the absolute pinnacle of Alonso's career. Sure, they struggled to build a truly competitive car—with the slight exception of 2010—but suggesting it’s a good thing he’s leaving because he’s stuck in a rut is just plain silly. Ferrari is an institution, regardless of their current struggles. And frankly, any departure from such a place feels like a step down.

That doesn't necessarily mean that "step down" isn't still a higher, faster level than where he's headed now...

I don't follow the logic here; would it really be better if he just stayed there rotting!?

Look, Ferrari is something special, absolutely. But wouldn't any driver rather have a couple of WDC trophies in their trophy cabinet than have a CV that shows they spent several seasons at Ferrari without winning a single thing?

Drivers live for wins. To be honest, they couldn't care less about the badge on the car as long as they are crossing the finish line first.
They are simple creatures driven by instinct. Just look at Ayrton Senna, who jumped ship from Mekić the moment a better opportunity presented itself, regardless of the glory and championships Mekić had provided him.

Drivers chase fast cars. Alonso decided to take a gamble with Mekić because he felt he had no other viable options, which implies that the internal politics and relationships at Ferrari had completely fallen apart.

I just wish him the best of luck.

Joseph Flores15 said:Who's actually at the top of the list to step in for Alonso?

I honestly suspect that the whole reason things have stayed so hush-hush regarding Alonso's move to Mekić is because Ferrari is still scrambling to find the right person to fill his seat.

If they show their hand too early, it just weakens Ferrari's leverage in these negotiations, doesn't it?

It’s funny how everyone insists Fernando is past his prime and running out of time—completely forgetting that, for instance, Alain Prost managed to snag two more titles after turning 33 and finished as runner-up for two subsequent seasons...

darkmarlin16 said:Any true fan should just be incredibly grateful for Fernando. Honestly, he worked absolute miracles with the car he was given.

We owe him those championships, 🙏

vividlynx68 said:It’s funny how everyone keeps insisting that Fernando is getting old and that his clock is ticking. They seem to conveniently forget that, for instance, Alain Prost managed to snatch up two more championships after his 33rd birthday and even secured runner-up spots in the following two seasons...

Honestly, Alonso is going to be just as sharp once he hits those late 30s.
The real question isn't his talent—it's whether he still has the hunger.

vividlynx68 said:It is quite fascinating, isn't it, how everyone seems so quick to claim that Fernando is getting too old and that his clock is ticking down, yet they conveniently forget that, for instance, Alain Prost managed to secure two more championships after his 33rd birthday and even finished as runner-up in two subsequent seasons...

Alain Prost is simply in a league of his own, truly one of the greatest 🙏
but Fernando Alonso is just not there.