Telefonica Pulls Out of F1

[EIR Loe.307]

Telefonica has reportedly pulled out of a multi-million dollar super-fund designed to woo Fernando Alonso back to Renault in 2008.

The country's biggest newspaper, El Pais, reports that the company - earlier linked with the $90 million deal via the mobile brand Movistar - no longer has any intention of re-entering the sport.

Telefonica withdrew as a major Renault sponsor at the end of last year, when Alonso switched from the French team to McLaren.

The British newspaper The Independent also reports that Telefonica has gone cold on Formula One, adding that the company 'is lukewarm about both Flavio Briatore and Alonso.


This very well could be what is supposedly stalling the talks between Alonso and Renualt. I'm starting to think that Alonso will be out of a seat for next year simply by taking too long and acting like a child. Many teams want to get their programs underway and aren't willing to sit and wait while time goes by. I see Toyota, Red Bull, Force India and others closing the door very soon. Not to say that prior to the season a mojor swap wouldn't be a possibility though.

[DanicaRules]

So Fernando Alonso doesnt have a major sponsor right now or a team? Am I reading this right ?

[EIR Loe.307]

I'm sure he has plenty of sponsor backing. In F1 alot of the time the sponsor goes to the team more so than the driver. Not always though. Many sposors follow a driver to a new team. He doesn't have a drive as of yet though. The Renault team was trying to "buy" Alonso by attracting a big pool of sponsors and their $$. By Telefonica pulling out, they have taken $90mil out of that sponsor pool.

[saltysurprise]

So Fernando Alonso doesnt have a major sponsor right now or a team? Am I reading this right ?

Pretty much. I saw this coming:lol:

Seriously. I said he'd take a sabatical about 3 months ago:cool: Forced or not:lol: The guy's just a pompous shit disturber. I wouldn't want to have him on my team:rolleyes:

[DanicaRules]

See, I learn everyday. The opposite of the IRL really. The sponsors go with the drivers.

Ive just started watching F1 this year after getting on this site.:) And he was one of the bigger names that I saw. It would be like the IRL saying Tony Kanaan or Helio Castroneves was out of a ride possibly....Be unheard of and would never happen.

[EIR Loe.307]

Like I said, it depends on the sponsor. All the Spanish sponsors want to follow Alonso, all the alcohol sponsors follow Kimi (:lol:) etc.

[saltysurprise]

I don't think Helio or Tony could hold a candle to Fernando as far as skills are concerned, although all three have impressive resumes. As much as I don't care for his cavalier attitude, he is a great racer in the premier class of open wheel racing.

Some stats courtesy of www.driverdb.com:D

Alonso:
Third in Formula 1 2007.
Formula 1 world champion 2006.
Formula 1 world champion 2005.
Euro Open Nissan champion 1999.

Kanaan:
Third in IRL IndyCar Series 2007.
Runner up in Mil Milhas Brasil - GTP1 2006.
Runner up in IRL IndyCar Series 2005.
Indy Racing League champion 2004.
Indy Lights champion 1997.
Runner up in Indy Lights 1996.
Formula Alfa Boxer champion 1994.

Castroneves:
Third in IRL IndyCar Series 2006.
Winner of the Mil Milhas Brasil in the GTP1 class 2006.
Third in IRL IndyCar Series 2003.
Runner up in IRL IndyCar Series 2002.
Runner up in Indy Lights 1997.
Third in Formula 3 Britain 1995.
Third in Masters of Formula 3 1995.
Runner up in Formula 3 Brazil 1994.
Third in Formula 3 South America 1993.
Runner up in Formula Vauxhall Brazil 1992.

[EIR Loe.307]

You left out Helio's "Dancing with the Stars" !!

Until I see those 3, or any other drivers on the same track together in the same car I'm staying out of the debate. There's no way to prove it. We'll be able to compare Seabass in F1 next season though.

Anyway, this goes in the IRL vs. Champ vs. F1 thread.

Damn hippies!! :lol:

[saltysurprise]

You left out Helio's "Dancing with the Stars" !!

Until I see those 3, or any other drivers on the same track together in the same car I'm staying out of the debate. There's no way to prove it. We'll be able to compare Seabass in F1 next season though.

Anyway, this goes in the IRL vs. Champ vs. F1 thread.

Damn hippies!! :lol:

Oh I forgot about Helio's skills as a dancer:rolleyes:

All the resumes are impressive. My point is that Alonso 'was' more marketable to sponsors world wide as of late than the others. But burnt bridges don't gain you much support:rolleyes::lol:

[EIR Loe.307]

My point is that Alonso 'was' more marketable to sponsors world wide as of late than the others. But burnt bridges don't gain you much support:rolleyes::lol:

Very true. I don't see how you can look your team in the eye and tell them you plan to bring in a guy that may turn on us, cry about everything that goes wrong, and will be leaving in a year for more $$. I wouldn't want to work for that driver. Real pro's gain the trust and loyalty from the crew AND the respect which in turn means better attention to the car and the drivers needs.

[Driverdb]

As long as a recent double world champion is without a seat I think very few confirmed seats in F1 are dead certain.

If he's still without a drive when all seats are confirmed I'm betting someone like Nakajima or something will have one of those "accident while playing tennis / fell off his mountain bike" and will be out for the season and Alonso will replace him. :lol:

[JoStream]

As long as a recent double world champion is without a seat I think very few confirmed seats in F1 are dead certain.

If he's still without a drive when all seats are confirmed I'm betting someone like Nakajima or something will have one of those "accident while playing tennis / fell off his mountain bike" and will be out for the season and Alonso will replace him. :lol:

Haha :lol:, couldn't agree more. Fernando is quick, he does have experience and from a PR / marketing perspective he is worth gold. That's why Red Bull is still rumored to be interested. Looks like they wouldn't mind giving the boot to Coulthard or Webber for Alonso. As someone said in an interview I read recently, "A double world champion doesn't come along every day" :rolleyes:

[NetOz]

Alonso has a few sponsors, but not so strong sponsors as a two times world champion deserve.
Mutua Madrileña said that will keep sponsoring Alonso in the team that he'll go. but strong sponsors like Santander or Telefonica he doesnt have