Alonso to McLaren - What's Behind It All

[JoStream]

I mean let's look at the facts.

McLaren announces it has contracted the services of Fernando Alonso for 2007 shortly after securing Vodafone as a title sponsor for an extensive period of time.

This is done although McLaren has Raikkonen and Montoya, the best driver pairing in the sport.

It is my understanding, that McLaren would only do such a thing if they knew they were going to lose a driver, although I would really have a hard time seeing Kimi Raikkonen leave to Ferrari, as I'm not that much of a Ferrari Fan, and always been pro-McLaren (and actually pro-Finland) ever since Hakkinen won the championship in 1998.

Anybody with a different view? :?:

[Carlis]

I am intrigued about the role of Briatore/Telefonica in the negotiation. If Alonso had some "special" sponsorship from Telefonica, moving to Vodafone-McLaren might be seeing as a "violation" to his contract, and Telefonica might take some legal issues... Althoug I don't like Fernando, I don't think he is that stupid to take the risk. Same thing with respect to Briatore.

I think that they (Briatore/Telefonica) knew all about it and they just are playing their part of: "Oh, he betrayed us" in exchange of some nice $$$$ that will be generated by the whole deal.

[JoStream]

just yesterday Briatore fired a few verbal shots into the McLaren camp. As much as it may seem that Briatore knew about it, there is also a chance he really didn't know about it.

Briatore and Dennis never have been best of friends, so why would they cut out a deal together? Its not like they both really need the money that badly, the even if they both get 5 million of the deal. :shock:

[Carlis]

I do agree that there is a chance that Briatore was not informed about the negotiation; but I do find hard to believe it. Is it really that hard for him to put a clause on his driver's contracts demanding from them to inform him by writting of any single negotiation that they are trying to do without thei active intervention of their manager (i.e. Briatore)?

The other part that I don't like is his recent statement. Ok, he had a GO at McLaren. He was talking about "disrespect" (1991 anyone?), but he didn't said a SINGLE thing against Alonso... He even called him "the best".

Somehow, that doesn't adds up... If Alonso betrayed him, as he claims he did, then why is Briatore praising the guy?

[TheKimster]

If Mercedes messed up again with their V8 as bad as Kimi Raikkonen said they did, then Alonso has no cat to bag, I'm afraid :shock: