Fernando Alonso announces his retirement.

[Jolle]

But what is he complaining about? that it is the same guys winning all the time, or that he is not one of them?
You can bet if he was in Mercedes or Ferrari he would be quite happy with it (and understandably, it would go for everyone too)

I think is both , but the fact that not team today is ready to take risks on putting two great drivers on same team because it might be problematic it says it all. And that's why this sport is dying year after year. No more two great drivers with same tools. No more raw natural speed and talent but instead more and more gimmicks drs, 5 types of tyres, etc... because the lack of racing

Of course he's frustrated. He should be (most of all in his own mind) be fighting with Hamilton and Vettel for race wins and/or championships but for the last four/five seasons he's been fighting with Wehrlein, Palmer, Erickson, etc etc.

[Just_a_fan]

Agreed, but I'm all for more bias towards engineering ingenuity and drive skill and away from the pure money bias. And a shift to this is considered necessary for a long time, but long overdue.

Sadly, money buys the best engineers and the best facilities to make their ingenuity in to reality. It amazes me that Ferrari haven't been dominant for the last two decades, to be honest, as they have generally had the best budget/facilities of any team over that time period.

[Just_a_fan]

Of course he's frustrated. He should be (most of all in his own mind) be fighting with Hamilton and Vettel for race wins and/or championships but for the last four/five seasons he's been fighting with Wehrlein, Palmer, Erickson, etc etc.

He isn't in the best car today because he has history. Vettel and Hamilton might be prima donnas from time to time but they don't play the political games that Alonso plays. They don't torpedo their team in order to make a point, for example. Alonso was in F1 too late - he would have fitted in much better in the 80s and 90s when Prost, PIquet, Mansell, Senna were playing their various games (Mansell was rubbish at the political games, of course). Alonso in the late 80s/early 90s would have been fabulous. Sadly, for him, he was between two eras.

[TheGkbrk]

Of course he's frustrated. He should be (most of all in his own mind) be fighting with Hamilton and Vettel for race wins and/or championships but for the last four/five seasons he's been fighting with Wehrlein, Palmer, Erickson, etc etc.

He isn't in the best car today because he has history. Vettel and Hamilton might be prima donnas from time to time but they don't play the political games that Alonso plays. They don't torpedo their team in order to make a point, for example. Alonso was in F1 too late - he would have fitted in much better in the 80s and 90s when Prost, PIquet, Mansell, Senna were playing their various games (Mansell was rubbish at the political games, of course). Alonso in the late 80s/early 90s would have been fabulous. Sadly, for him, he was between two eras.

What are some of those political games?

[Jolle]

Of course he's frustrated. He should be (most of all in his own mind) be fighting with Hamilton and Vettel for race wins and/or championships but for the last four/five seasons he's been fighting with Wehrlein, Palmer, Erickson, etc etc.

He isn't in the best car today because he has history. Vettel and Hamilton might be prima donnas from time to time but they don't play the political games that Alonso plays. They don't torpedo their team in order to make a point, for example. Alonso was in F1 too late - he would have fitted in much better in the 80s and 90s when Prost, PIquet, Mansell, Senna were playing their various games (Mansell was rubbish at the political games, of course). Alonso in the late 80s/early 90s would have been fabulous. Sadly, for him, he was between two eras.

Oh, I'm the first one to agree that it's Alonso's own fault that no one of the big teams don't want to risk it with him. I do think there is a big difference between Piquet, Senna and their "games" and Alonso. They were master in winning certain people within the team for them, like Senna did with the Honda people and having some political warfare with their ambitious teammates (like Prost, Mansell or Hakkinen). When they had a "following" teammates like Berger, Patrese there were no problems. They all wanted or demanded total dedication to their car and goal. Schumacher was the same, demanding and getting complete focus.
Alonso is a bit different. He wants and gets that complete focus. A following, slightly less fast, teammate like Massa or Raikkonen but still, he manages to start to poke within the team. Almost like he doesn't trust them or attacks publicly partners and/or the team (like he did with Honda).
Senna didn't put McLaren into chaos, he brought Prost into chaos... same goes for Piquet and Williams/Mansell. They were a dream to work for/with. Alonso is maybe more like Prost. Almost like his team is his first enemy...

[makecry]

Of course he's frustrated. He should be (most of all in his own mind) be fighting with Hamilton and Vettel for race wins and/or championships but for the last four/five seasons he's been fighting with Wehrlein, Palmer, Erickson, etc etc.

He isn't in the best car today because he has history. Vettel and Hamilton might be prima donnas from time to time but they don't play the political games that Alonso plays. They don't torpedo their team in order to make a point, for example. Alonso was in F1 too late - he would have fitted in much better in the 80s and 90s when Prost, PIquet, Mansell, Senna were playing their various games (Mansell was rubbish at the political games, of course). Alonso in the late 80s/early 90s would have been fabulous. Sadly, for him, he was between two eras.

Daniel doesn't play any games. Daniel is not political. He is not controversial. He is just Daniel, everyone likes him,no? Then why is he not in a top car? I know the answer to why both Daniel and Alonso are not in top teams, so why don't you just spell it out for me

[PlatinumZealot]

Even Alonso's choice of team in Indycar is... "peculiar".
I'm sure Roger Penske would've welcomed him and go back to 4 cars.

Instead he chooses a single car team, that isn't super competitive, with a Chevy engine and support from Andretti (who has his own team using Honda).

He's a Prima donna. Did you expect anything else?

[Just_a_fan]

What are some of those political games?

Attempting to blackmail his team principal for a start.

[Just_a_fan]

Of course he's frustrated. He should be (most of all in his own mind) be fighting with Hamilton and Vettel for race wins and/or championships but for the last four/five seasons he's been fighting with Wehrlein, Palmer, Erickson, etc etc.

He isn't in the best car today because he has history. Vettel and Hamilton might be prima donnas from time to time but they don't play the political games that Alonso plays. They don't torpedo their team in order to make a point, for example. Alonso was in F1 too late - he would have fitted in much better in the 80s and 90s when Prost, PIquet, Mansell, Senna were playing their various games (Mansell was rubbish at the political games, of course). Alonso in the late 80s/early 90s would have been fabulous. Sadly, for him, he was between two eras.

Daniel doesn't play any games. Daniel is not political. He is not controversial. He is just Daniel, everyone likes him,no? Then why is he not in a top car? I know the answer to why both Daniel and Alonso are not in top teams, so why don't you just spell it out for me

Daniel is in a top car but his team mate is the darling of the team's management. Ask Mark Webber how that works for you.
Alonso isn't in a top car because he's seen as too difficult. He's no better than Hamilton so why give him the seat over Hamilton? Why put him next to Hamilton and risk the inevitable fallout? It would only damage the team. He might be better than Vettel but Alonso walked away so why give the seat back to Alonso? RedBull have their new "young star" in Max - Alonso won't put the RedBull in to second or first in the constructor's championship and won't be better than third in the driver's so why give the seat to the old over the new? Max is the future, Alonso isn't.

Alonso has stayed too long in F1. Once it was obvious that McLaren were hopeless and that the top table was full, he should have quietly retired then. By hanging on he hasn't improved his chances of a title shot. He has added some great moments of class/fun - deckchair, anyone? - but that's not why he's in F1, is it?

[roon]

Alonso won't put the RedBull in to second or first in the constructor's championship and won't be better than third in the driver's...

Curious level of certainty there. Over the years he's made many less-competitive cars score higher than they should. I'm optimistic for what RB & Honda might turn out next year. Alonso in that seat would have been great to see, imo. What are the political games you were referring to earlier?

In hindsight, Alonso + Newey/RB + a non-Renault PU vs. Mercedes & Ferrari would have made the previous four seasons way more interesting.

[saviour stivala]

What are some of those political games?

Attempting to blackmail his team principal for a start.

Apart from “attempting to blackmail his team principle” on the other side there was his team principle declaring (we were not racing Kimi, we were racing Alonso”. That one was as honest as they come and right from the horse mouth.

[Andres125sx]

I think he knew about the crash plan. He knew about the stuff at McLaren and even tried to blackmail Ron Dennis with it. Much like Schuie will have known all about Benetton's "honestly, it's switched off" launch control system (and quite possibly the fuel filter shenanigans and the cleverly pre-worn plank that led to a DSQ) in 1994.

Crashgate, so if he knew, he was responsible? Since when drivers can tell the team and their teammates what to do with their cars?

Spygate, the same. He obviously knew but, how in your mind that means he was responsible of McLaren and Ferrari sharing illegal info?

It´s awesome how some people think drivers are team employees, or team managers, depending on the color of the glasses he´s wearing at the time

[FrukostScones]

I rate him very high as a driver and was a big fan of him till he went too delusional... he just bitter and frustrated (understandably).
Too big ego, wrong consultants, wrong choices. He can be proud but should not trashtalk F1.
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/13806 ... -2019-exit

[jamsbong]

I'm not surprised that he made this announcement. Kind of sad mainly because we all know that he is a great talent who could compete with other champions in F1 given the right machinery.

But then, he has too much ego which ultimately ruined his career in F1. Goes to show that you should always keep your egos in check and be humble.

[Just_a_fan]

Spygate, the same. He obviously knew but, how in your mind that means he was responsible of McLaren and Ferrari sharing illegal info?

He actually tried to blackmail Ron Dennis with it. He went to Dennis and said "make me number 1 and rein-in Hamilton so I can win the title or I tell the FIA". Ron knew nothing about it before that and then went to the FIA and admitted that it was happening - Ron was a man of principle, unlike Alonso.