Discussion thread for the '08 Spanish Grand Prix.


HOLY SHIT, ALONSO!

2nd place qualified. Wow.

What a great drive from Alonso! The guy is just so damn talented, I am glad to see Renault making there way back up. I love watching this guy race, and am really looking forward to the battles we are going to see the rest of the season. I said from the start that McLaren is going to miss his setup expertise and tey sure as hell are. I hope he can get a win this season.

Massa with no problems passing Alonso which might have done with Alonso in the grass during the warm up lap.
Heidfeld gains two places, Kubica losing one.

I would never question Alonso talent, but the guy is a dipstick, I'm glad he wont even smell a podium this year. Yet again his attitude stems from not winning.

I'm sorry, but where has he ever been a dipstick since his switch over to Renault?

Yes, he completely destroyed his reputation and was a whiny baby the moment Lewis became a threat. But, frankly, I think they way he's carried himself since coming back to Renault has been exemplary. He's been calm and taking everything in stride while putting in some absolutely amazing performances. There's two things you can really take from Renault's overall performance between the two drivers.

Either Nelson Piquet Jr. is really crappy in his debut year... or Alonso is taking a sub-mediocre car and putting it in places it doesn't belong.

Well I never pointed out to anything specific this year but, what you say about Piquet Jr, is crappy or Alonso is taking a mediocre car to places that it doesn't belong is true, again I never question his talent, but that talent alone wont get you wins, case and point, Raikonen - talent + relatively quiet, doesn't make noise, cool temper. Hamilton talent + charisma, same with Kubica and so on... Alonso is a dipstick end of story, his attitude has to be on one level with his talent. Below are some headlines I lifted from GP Update.

Alonso admits it's difficult to stay motivated
Briatore: Alonso as Raikkonen's team mate wouldn't work
Alonso doesn't expect podium finish this season
Mateschitz: Alonso was only available for one season
Alonso won't keep his patience if things won't change at Renault

dipstick

I gotta agree with Phix,

He's a passionate Southern European...maybe you've been tempered by a boring German and a quiet (yet wild spirited) Finn. From what I have read he's been invaluable at Renault for pushing the team forward, and he's just honest when talking to the press.

As for his brief tenure at McLaren, anyone can see how frustrating it would feel to be recruited as a World Champion driver and to be treated the exact same as a rookie who has the ear of the team principal. I admit he acted poorly, but he was in a bad situation.

Persoally I'm getting sick and tired of ITV shit talking him, making bad speculations about him (That he intentionally brake checked Hamilton in Bahrain, and that he was on a super light fuel load in Barcelona). It's almost enough to make me switch back to the Speed coverage, which may have improved with the departure of Scott Speed.

Well, actually, a majority of the paddock believed he was on a super light fuel load during qualification. That's pretty justified considering their past performances at the last races.

So, it was a genuine surprise/delight that he came into the pits 1st but only 2 laps earlier than the other runners. Renault really does seem to have made some progress in their car.

Yes maybe I am bashing the guy too much, and yes, there is praise for him for pushing the team in the right direction, this season. And yes my view of him is entirely skewed from the fiasco of the last season, then and there he earned him self the label off ass, now he is doing all he can to restore his image, hopefully for the better. I was a fan of his when he dethroned MS, but what he did at McLaren will never be undone, in my eyes. I just refuse to root for asses, or one time asses.

I think that his actions at McLaren are justified by their performance this year. Alonso put in his time energy and expertise to make that car capable of winning the championship, and Hamilton got to enjoy the benefits. Hamilton couldn't have gotten to where he did without Alonso's help.

Te whole thing with Alonso blocking Hamilton in the pits was started when HAMILTON refused to follow team orders that gave the advantage to Alonso. Alonso wouldn't let the kid do that to him so he blocked. For some reason people have been associating the Stepney issue with Alonso also, and that's just ridiculous. McLaren caused McLaren to have problems last year, and they will have more without Alonso.

Also Bjorn: The Speed coverage is great!