Fernando Guardian Interview

[funkyfish]

Here you go:

At the end of another draining day Fernando Alonso has one last gauntlet to face. As the winter sun fades across an empty track at Jerez, an hour south of Seville, a ­chattering throng of men and women huddle outside the Ferrari garage. They are Italian and Spanish; and their fervour is uniform.

When the door finally opens, and the two-time world champion and new star of Ferrari emerges, they engulf him. Alonso has worked relentlessly all day, ­ completing 132 laps of testing in a car that has encouraged many bookmakers to install him as a narrow favourite to win this year's drivers' championship. Yet his walk to the Ferrari motorhome looks more taxing.

The 28-year-old smiles politely, stopping every few steps to accept an embrace from a Spanish supporter or to have his photograph taken alongside an entranced Italian fan, but his relief is obvious when he escapes. In an office tucked away at the back of Ferrari's gleaming enclave, Alonso shakes his head. He might have won ­successive titles for Renault – in 2005 and 2006 – and been subsequently embroiled in the "Spygate" and "Crashgate" ­controversies that scarred ­Formula One, but driving for Ferrari is an unusually intense experience.

"My father always told me this would happen," Alonso remembers. "He said, 'If you race for Ferrari then you can retire. Your life is complete.' So after I won my two championships for Renault I said, 'I'm happy now – my career is complete.' And he said, 'No, no, if you drive for Ferrari people will forget the championships. They will remember you as a Ferrari driver.' I said, 'OK, Papa, we'll see.' Now I think he was right. Ferrari gives you a special feeling."

A low-key day of testing offers only a fleeting snapshot of all that awaits Alonso when the new season starts two weeks on Sunday in Bahrain. At least he is suitably equipped to withstand the scrutiny, for he has galvanised a previously non-existent Spanish zeal for Formula One. His fame now prevents him from living in Spain but Alonso derives real pride from the fact that 36,400 fans watched him dominate a routine practice day at Valencia this month, outnumbering those who had attended last year's Turkish grand prix.

"It was a hard battle when I started," Alonso says. "There was nothing. When I raced at Minardi in my first year [2001] my family had to watch me on German TV. In Spain there were no TV rights for Formula One. Now I think the attention on me here will go up even more. But the biggest difficulty will be outside Spain. When I race in Australia or Korea or Japan I know it will be a big change for me because Ferrari fans are worldwide. It's very nice if you win but it's not so good if you lose. All this is part of being a Ferrari driver."

Alonso believes his bruising experience in 2007, when partnering an apparently favoured rookie in Lewis Hamilton at McLaren, will help him to adapt to ­Ferrari's pressurised environment. "2007 was very difficult but I learnt a lot personally. It was good for my career to take that step of joining them and growing up. I learnt how to work with a team and also to ­withstand the media pressure. The difficulties I had were coming from the team and the media. Now I am much more prepared for everything in Formula One – and in life as well.

"But at the time McLaren and Ferrari were fighting each other and it was very close. In the end I think we had the better car but we finished ­second and third [with Hamilton and Alonso both just one point behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen]. Unfortunately we did something wrong."

Bitter infighting cost McLaren the championship, while an engineer's appropriation of technical data from Ferrari almost brought down the entire company. "With the spy history I was in the wrong place at the wrong time," Alonso says. "But I was very happy to help the FIA discover everything."

As a result McLaren were excluded from that season's constructors' championship and were fined a record $100m. And last year, even more damagingly, it was proved that Alonso's team-mate at Renault, Nelson Piquet Jr, had crashed his car deliberately at the 2008 Singapore grand prix. That blatant ­cheating forced the introduction of a safety car, and Alonso was the unwitting ­beneficiary as he went on to win the race.

Alonso's position was muddied further by the fact that Flavio Briatore, Renault's team principal, was his manager. Briatore has just won an appeal against his permanent expulsion from the sport but Alonso agrees that "it was a bad season for F1 last year". He adds: "Crashgate was not easy. Flavio is a friend. I have been working with him many years now. So for all the [legal] decisions that go well for him I am happy. But I don't know everything about his case."

Does he expect Briatore to return to the sport? Alonso looks down and shrugs. "I have no idea." Surely he was shocked that Briatore, Renault's chief engineer, Pat Symonds, and Piquet could resort to such squalid and dangerous tactics? "It is in the past," Alonso murmurs evasively.

But Felipe Massa, his new team-mate at Ferrari, remains mortified that the debacle cost him the 2008 drivers' title by a single point. Has he discussed the implications of Crashgate with Massa? "No," Alonso says. That answer is predictable – especially against a typically gossipy Formula One backdrop which implies that the relationship between Alonso and Massa is strained. "People are only writing these things because they know we are very strong. Felipe and I work for the team."

They have, however, had many fierce battles in the past. "I have the same with everybody else," he smiles. "After so many years of course I have battled with Felipe. It's the way it is – and we'll keep having these fights. But Michael Schumacher and [Nico] Rosberg will have fights at Mercedes. I am sure Lewis and Jenson Button will have fights. Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel will have fights at Red Bull – in fact they were fighting last year already. But no one talks about this. They talk about it with Ferrari because we are in a good position."

Button, like Alonso, arrived at McLaren as the reigning world champion and it is easy to imagine tensions between him and Hamilton. "We'll see," Alonso says. "Obviously I don't know how McLaren is now but if he arrived in my time then, for sure, it would be very tough for him. But, hopefully, it's now better for Jenson because I learned a lot from that season and McLaren did as well."

The return of Schumacher will be as intriguing a sub-plot as the rivalries within McLaren and Ferrari. "I was very surprised when I first heard Michael was coming back. But our lives are so intense that when you are at home it's difficult to get used to a normal life. So if you get an opportunity to come back after three years maybe you can't say no. And it's true that since Michael left I haven't won any championships. So hopefully this is a good sign for me. Maybe there is some relationship between Michael and my success."

Alonso's good humour can be attributed to the fact that he believes his Ferrari is the best car he has ever driven – and that he has escaped a dispiriting situation at Renault where, last year, he finished a distant ninth in the championship. "I knew I was only fighting for seventh or eighth but it was important to learn from that. I have no doubt I am a better driver now."

He is also stimulated by his outside interest in creating a new Tour de France team with his friend Alberto Contador, who won the race in 2007 and 2009. "It's a project for me – a kind of dream I have because I love cycling. Creating a top team and being in a position to win the Tour de France will give me a nice feeling. But I know it is not easy to create a top team from zero. You need good riders, good staff, a lot of preparation and, most important, a lot of sponsors. So I don't think we are in the right moment to start a project like this, because of the world economy."

Would he wait until he has retired from Formula One before he attempts to fulfil his Tour fantasy? "No, it can happen at the same time. It is something Alberto and I can work on. As I said I'm very open. I know this year he is with Astana but from next year onwards, for sure, if there is an opportunity I will be very interested. I think he will be interested as well."

Did he train alongside the remorseless Contador in the winter? "He invited me to train with him a couple of times but I was always trying to have something else to do that day! I trained with the Olympic champion Samuel Sánchez, who is from my city [Ovideo], and with some of ­Alberto's team‑mates from Astana."

Before he can chase down a possible Tour triumph as a team director, Alonso looks ready for the most absorbing Formula One season in years. "I expect Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull to be big contenders. But we are very happy where we are at Ferrari."

Even some British bookmakers have made him favourite for the title, ahead of the last two world champions in Hamilton and Button. Would it be wise to put a bet on him? Alonso laughs and stretches out his hand. "Put the money on me now…"


Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/feb...ormula-one

[TheProdigalSon]

The good thing about Fernando is he turns negative feelings/questions into a positive. The journos try to ask him the most awkward questions but he finds the funny side and makes a joke back at them. It also helps him with his driving too, the more focus they put on writing bad stuff about him the more stronger he fights back on the track so it makes him stronger.

[icegirljenni]

Thank you for sharing Katy Fernando always speak with confident.

[Tension_36th]

Quote:Bitter infighting cost McLaren the championship, while an engineer's appropriation of technical data from Ferrari almost brought down the entire company. "With the spy history I was in the wrong place at the wrong time," Alonso says. "But I was very happy to help the FIA discover everything."

Unless that is a misquote, its a bit disingenuous of Fernando to say that.

He was fully involved in the conspiracy until Mclaren back-stabbed him. He was a willing and interested participant in all of the data exchange, testing of ideas and discussions prior to the start of the season and in the first few races. He fully admitted to the email conservations that were uncovered between him Pedro and the other lead engineers.

If Mclaren let Fernando win the titles with ease and proper equality that he needed. Then would he have gone and revealed it to the FIA? Absolutely no. He would repay the loyalty he would have got from Mclaren and kept the secret.

This is something that allows others to show that he may be the problem at Mclaren, when he was not. A bit poor to say that now because its becoming clear he is consumed by vengeance. The recent boasting of the F10 when the tests haven't been that great at all and now saying that he is 'happy' to expose Mclaren. Its a sure sign he is wants some Mclaren blood after the last two years where he has been bubbling up with anger inside. But this is not the way to do it, he should do it on track.

At the moment he is playing right into Mclaren's hands.

[Tension_36th]

@funkyfish Your new avatar is brilliant and really funny. Suits your login name. A funky looking fish.

[funkyfish]

Thanks Tension It is amazing - Jenni made it.

I like this interview, I think he comes across very well, even with the journalist being quite pushy. I especially like the last bit about the bet. I hope he does form a Tour de France team (as long as it doesn't affect his Formula 1), I like him and I like Contador.

[WiTcH]

And it's true that since Michael left I haven't won any championships. So hopefully this is a good sign for me. Maybe there is some relationship between Michael and my success."


Haha! We shall see... I have posted a week ago a part of this interview,too, but you have it complete. Nice interview!

[Sunny]

Thanks Funkyfish the Fernando Alonso's father say that a driver life is complete when you've drove for Ferrari then perhaps Fernando would like to spend kind of holidays at Ferrari but this is clearly not his goal By chance

[Ace01]

Good interview except about the spy part. Alonso cheated there, but saying that its not an easy question for him and I dont think its as bad as Dennis putting this whole thing down to 'a minor indiscretion by junior members of the organisation that got amplified into a bigger issue.' I never new chief designer and World Champion driver were junior members.

[Tension_36th]

If he finds the two Mclaren cars completely overshadowing him in the first few races, he will regret saying that. Because it was not true and it was a badly timed gloat. The worst part will be that Mclaren will have the last laugh in all of this.

[Sunny]

In a driver career many things could happened to inspired the confidence of a team like Ferrari is a very big chance and opportunity
He's about to enter in a very special area where he can win for lot of people confidence and support and it's quickly growing i think i's very clear

[maranellored]

(02-23-2010 06:22 PM)Tension_36th Wrote:  Unless that is a misquote, its a bit disingenuous of Fernando to say that.

He was fully involved in the conspiracy until Mclaren back-stabbed him. He was a willing and interested participant in all of the data exchange, testing of ideas and discussions prior to the start of the season and in the first few races. He fully admitted to the email conservations that were uncovered between him Pedro and the other lead engineers.

If Mclaren let Fernando win the titles with ease and proper equality that he needed. Then would he have gone and revealed it to the FIA? Absolutely no. He would repay the loyalty he would have got from Mclaren and kept the secret.

Its a sure sign he is wants some Mclaren blood after the last two years where he has been bubbling up with anger inside. But this is not the way to do it, he should do it on track.

At the moment he is playing right into Mclaren's hands.

Ok, firstly I need to keep my lawn tidy (so to speak) and say that after many years of moderating on different forums I know respecting the big Kahuna is key to a happy foruming life, so Tension, as a newbie, please don't take any offence to my opinion!! Secondly, I love the fact that criticism is welcomed here, constructively of course, and it certainly makes a change from the backstabbing and bitching I'm used to.

F1 is about as passionate as I get, boys aside and I have to wade in here. I'm a pretty clued-up person; realistic, un-ambiguous and pragmatic, but the whole McLaren-gate episode still makes my blood boil. Fernando was a child chucking his rattle out of his pram for a lot of the season and he may have made some....erm...uninformed choices but it is clear that he was promised things that never came to him.

It's so easy for us to cast aspertions on a multi-millionare driver who has everything he wants, but we have to be comparative here. If you get a promotion or are head-hunted for a job, and you presume you have, after years of earning it, some level of respect and recognition, whilst in a foreign company, and you don't get it, then you react. Fernando Alonso reacted, and I'm probably going to be villified for saying it, but I don't blame him for doing what he did.

The stunts by Hammy were the catalyst for most of Alonso's misguided judgements; crying to the press after Monaco, not allowing strategy protocol to continue in Hungary and Hammy using Fernando's data from Friday practice to set up his car. Any human being would have reacted to that.

I have never been a fan of McLaren. Fernando made a mis-informed choice signing with them and it's so easy to say that retrospectively, but he was a cornered animal and he did what he had to do, stupidly or not.

[Tension_36th]

@Maranellored

I think you missed the point I was stressing on. He definitely made a rushed decision to dump Renault and run to Mclaren, serves him right for making such a decision to run to mclaren in such a haste. But thats not what i am talking about.

Its about claiming to be very happy to expose Mclaren. He makes it sound like he wasnt part of it at all. Which is patently untrue. He was a willing and interested party in the espionage, so for himself to wash his hands now and say he is happy is a touch hypocritical of him. He is known for speaking his mind honestly. But that part was hardly honest it was a lie. He was only interested in ratting out mclaren when they didnt back him like they should have. Its not his better judgment saying that, its vengeance for the injustice in 2007.

He ratted Mclaren out, he did exactly what I would do in his place, but to say he ratted them because they cheated is a bit rich. Because he didn't rat them out for cheating he ratted them out because they didnt back him. He should tell that loud and clear but he isn't doing that. Because thats like saying I would cheat if me and my team can get away with it, not very good for PR or image. But every driver on the grid today will do it without hesitation if they can get away with it, especially something as good a world driver's title. No driver is a saint on track today.

Mclaren made setup mistake in Bahrain, they are hardly that slow and despite that they were matching Massa and matching Fernando once out in clean air, but by then the best of tyres was also lost following Rosberg. So in Australia Mclaren can get on podium with Redbull winning the race 1-2, 1-3 whatever combo.

At the end of the year regardless of what happens into the title fight, if shamilton and mclaren are ahead of especially Fernando on points Mclaren will be having a hearty laugh out of this. I doubt Fernando's ego can handle that, which is why its best to do the talking on the track rather than make untrue statements out of anger.

[maranellored]

(03-21-2010 01:00 AM)Tension_36th Wrote:  At the end of the year regardless of what happens into the title fight, if shamilton and mclaren are ahead of especially Fernando on points Mclaren will be having a hearty laugh out of this. I doubt Fernando's ego can handle that, which is why its best to do the talking on the track rather than make untrue statements out of anger.

Now, this is what I'm also worried about.

As much as I dislike Hammy as a person, I cannot fault him as a driver (apart from his terrible on-track manners and his immature overly-aggresive style) and on that note I know he has the capability of beating anyone at anytime.

Fernando needs to vent his anger somehow and it's sad to see he is still so resentful towards a team he han't worked with for 3 years, it makes me wonder what else happened there that we still don't know about.

---

Quote:He ratted Mclaren out, he did exactly what I would do in his place, but to say he ratted them because they cheated is a bit rich. Because he didn't rat them out for cheating he ratted them out because they didnt back him. He should tell that loud and clear but he isn't doing that. Because thats like saying I would cheat if me and my team can get away with it, not very good for PR or image. But every driver on the grid today will do it without hesitation if they can get away with it, especially something as good a world driver's title. No driver is a saint on track today.

I see your point now.............and apologies for being misguided in my response, years of defending Alonso have caught up with me I think!

We all know he was in on the espionage, he admitted it in the FIA hearing by-proxy of course, but he was.

[Tension_36th]

(03-21-2010 01:29 AM)maranellored Wrote:  As much as I dislike Hammy as a person, I cannot fault him as a driver (apart from his terrible on-track manners and his immature overly-aggresive style) and on that note I know he has the capability of beating anyone at anytime.

Many thought so after suffering a beat from Fernando in 2007 fuel corrected or otherwise on sheer pace, that he maybe decent enough against Hekkie on fair footing.

But analysis of 2008 showed he was junk next to Hekkie fuel corrected and even in wet races where hekkie was well planted on the track while shamilton was spinning more than piquet did at times. And no matter what Mclaren claims it is a very obvious thing that Heikkie was a hired number 2.

There is a good reason why Fernando's fans and many think shamilton is junk, not because of Mclaren-Alonso 2007 . Even otherwise he is junk as a driver, That seat seriously being wasted there are better drivers out there who deserve a chance. And its nothing to do with him being black, he is just a low grade driver. Probably the same level as maybe journey man JV in his fading days.

As for Fernando, he blew shamilton away on more the 2-3 occasions by margins of 0.5-0.7secs a lap, Monza qualifying and race 2007, Monaco 2007, Hungary 2--7 qualifying on used hard tyres against shamilton's fresh super softs Thats terrible even Hekki didnt look that bad despite being a clear number 2. Shamilton is lucky Mclaren sabotaged Fernando well enough because otherwise he would have put the blinds on shamilton career in its very first year.

Given they paid Fernando a higher salary to get him there but they invested a lot on the marketing ploy that is the shamilton story. Investment was under threat so the faster jockey had to be screwed over.

He is slow, talks like he is senna incarnated and has no sense in the limits to bullshitting, all round a crappy driver who makes Eddie Irvine look like a world champion.

[maranellored]

(03-21-2010 02:10 AM)Tension_36th Wrote:  

(03-21-2010 01:29 AM)maranellored Wrote:  As much as I dislike Hammy as a person, I cannot fault him as a driver (apart from his terrible on-track manners and his immature overly-aggresive style) and on that note I know he has the capability of beating anyone at anytime.

Many thought so after suffering a beat from Fernando in 2007 fuel corrected or otherwise on sheer pace, that he maybe decent enough against Hekkie on fair footing.

But analysis of 2008 showed he was junk next to Hekkie fuel corrected and even in wet races where hekkie was well planted on the track while shamilton was spinning more than piquet did at times. And no matter what Mclaren claims it is a very obvious thing that Heikkie was a hired number 2.

There is a good reason why Fernando's fans and many think shamilton is junk, not because of Mclaren-Alonso 2007 . Even otherwise he is junk as a driver, That seat seriously being wasted there are better drivers out there who deserve a chance. And its nothing to do with him being black, he is just a low grade driver. Probably the same level as maybe journey man JV in his fading days.

As for Fernando, he blew shamilton away on more the 2-3 occasions by margins of 0.5-0.7secs a lap, Monza qualifying and race 2007, Monaco 2007, Hungary 2--7 qualifying on used hard tyres against shamilton's fresh super softs Thats terrible even Hekki didnt look that bad despite being a clear number 2. Shamilton is lucky Mclaren sabotaged Fernando well enough because otherwise he would have put the blinds on shamilton career in its very first year.

Given they paid Fernando a higher salary to get him there but they invested a lot on the marketing ploy that is the shamilton story. Investment was under threat so the faster jockey had to be screwed over.

He is slow, talks like he is senna incarnated and has no sense in the limits to bullshitting, all round a crappy driver who makes Eddie Irvine look like a world champion.

Ok, here we go

Do you know what rattles me the most???

Almost every driver in F1, ESPECIALLY Fernando, had to work for their seat in a decent car. I am on topic by the way, incase anyone is wondering.......

Alonso was hard done by, only a few people can admit that, but to come into F1 after being finacially and personally sponsered by a massive F1 team then given a top drive was always going to end without parity for the other driver, hence the shannigans in 2007..............oh, I'm getting mad again now lol.

But that's in the past, and I know I shouldn't vent but blimey it feels good after having to keep my mouth shut!!

[Tension_36th]

Indeed.

Also no one really needs to take my word for it on shamilton being weak. you can look at the races in 2009 as we broke them down. in this topic and you can clearly see shamiton was nothing special next to hired number 2 Heikki. http://www.alonso-planet.com/Thread-Mcla...a-made-out

Fernandofan01 also pointed out to me on what I missed.

Turkey 2009: shamilton throws tantrums by saying "i cant freakin over take a freakin renaut... "
The team: "ok understood lewis understood", more like 'yeah yea shut up and get on with it will ya?' in a nice way. Sounded more like a rich spoiled kid complaining that the toy isnt gifting him wins.

It whines as if Mclaren has to win like some birthright and that somehow Renault is supposed to be a nobody in F1 world. Thats talk from someone who doesnt know what F1 is really about, someone who isnt aware of their worth, someone who is unable to comprehend that one's worth isnt good enough to get the results that other real top drivers in the same car can.

[maranellored]

(03-21-2010 02:43 AM)Tension_36th Wrote:  Indeed.

Also no one really needs to take my word for it on shamilton being weak. you can look at the races in 2009 as we broke them down. in this topic and you can clearly see shamiton was nothing special next to hired number 2 Heikki. http://www.alonso-planet.com/Thread-Mcla...a-made-out

Fernandofan01 also pointed out to me on what I missed.

Turkey 2009: shamilton throws tantrums by saying "i cant freakin over take a freakin renaut... "
The team: "ok understood lewis understood", more like 'yeah yea shut up and get on with it will ya?' in a nice way. Sounded more like a rich spoiled kid complaining that the toy isnt gifting him wins.

It whines as if Mclaren has to win like some birthright and that somehow Renault is supposed to be a nobody in F1 world. Thats talk from someone who doesnt know what F1 is really about, someone who isnt aware of their worth, someone who is unable to comprehend that one's worth isnt good enough to get the results that other real top drivers in the same car can.

EXACTLY!!!

Maybe it isn't all the fault of Lewis, afterall, if you have a bunion on your foot you can't always blame your shoe, but the whole McLaren ethos makes me quiver and not in a good way.

David Coulthard was shafted good and proper, thanks to Big Ron, as was Pedro de la Rosa after Alonso returned to Renault. Big Ron couldn't contain Prost and Senna either, allowing Ayrton to openly and publically say he would take Prost out if he wasn't winning.

What grates me is the Lewis mentality and hypocrisy, especially within the team. I just hope Jenson can kick his bottom this year and come in second in the WDC after Fernando. A dream I know but it'd make my year if it happened!!

[Tension_36th]

(03-21-2010 02:53 AM)maranellored Wrote:  What grates me is the Lewis mentality and hypocrisy, especially within the team. I just hope Jenson can kick his bottom this year and come in second in the WDC after Fernando. A dream I know but it'd make my year if it happened!!

Wear rates in Bahrain showed Jenson had a lot in reserve on his tyres and he under drove thinking he needs to preserve them behind Shoe in the Mercedes. He miscalculated by how much he need to save, he could have been far more aggressive than that. First race error in judgment.

He might start the proper arse whopping come Australia. Shamilton was saved thanks strong defensive driving from the old German geezer who still has it in him to fight Button.

In testing Button looked stronger on all the long runs and also looked good on his tyre wear rates. Its only the starting. But then again Mclaren can do the 'slow down' on Button like they did to Fernando. We need to see if they will when the time comes.

And thats when Shamilton will start throwing out the toys, only this time we need to see, Will UK and the press care? This is 'our Jense' after all, not the fabled Spanish conquistador Fernando who they can easily villainise. What if the press didnt give a damn that Button is spanking Shamilton? They would just love Jenson more anyway. Its british vs british doesn't matter anymore if Button is ahead. Only husband James Allen will despair.

[maranellored]

(03-21-2010 03:03 AM)Tension_36th Wrote:  

(03-21-2010 02:53 AM)maranellored Wrote:  What grates me is the Lewis mentality and hypocrisy, especially within the team. I just hope Jenson can kick his bottom this year and come in second in the WDC after Fernando. A dream I know but it'd make my year if it happened!!

And thats when Shamilton will start throwing out the toys, only this time we need to see, Will UK and the press care? This is 'our Jense' after all, not the fabled Spanish conquistador Fernando who they can easily villainise. What if the press didnt give a damn that Button is spanking Shamilton? They would just love Jenson more anyway. Its british vs british doesn't matter anymore if Button is ahead. Only husband James Allen will despair.

James Allen........oh don't bring me back to that hideous time on SHITV!!!

I have to disagree with you on the Brit v Brit thing.

I know JB has had an F1 love-in over the last year but trust me, Hammy will always be the favoured one, just look at F1 Racing - a magazine that was fairly unbiased until Lewis joined the F1 fray yet still had him on the cover 5 times in 12 issues last year.

Jens could win the WDC in a brand new team, be a decent bloke and have a dominant season and he still wouldn't get the press he deserves......oh....hang on a minute....he did all that.............

I just don't understand the pseudo-marriage that the British press has with Hamilton, I'm not sure I ever will.

I wrote a letter to the afore-mentioned publication asking why Alonso was not featured and guess what?

I'm still waiting for a reply.