Watch Out Alonso, Here Comes Massa!

What Alonso has gotten himself into at Ferrari is a real quagmire. As great a decision as it seems Fernando’s Ferrari move brings with it two challenges that brought him to his knees previously. Two years back Lewis Hamilton destroyed Alonso’s invincibility in what was lewis’s rookie season, something that ruffled Alonso to no end. Adding to this was Lewis’s reputation as the blue eyed Mclaren boy, so for once Alonso was not the pampered one. What followed was a sordid tale of broken team chemistry, lost world championships and a bitter row between Alonso and team boss Ron Dennis. If history is any indication, Alonso is opening himself to similar constraints yet again.

People who thought of Felipe Massa to be a lesser driver who’d gladly submit to the wills of the team’s star driver have already been disproved quite unanimously through the young brazilian’s stirring drives in recent years. He was the first of Schumacher’s team mates to beat the great man quite handily in a few races and was a stunning second driver during Kimi’s 2007 championship winning performance in the Ferrari. If not for a few retirements Felipe could well have fought for the championship that year. In the very next year Massa superceded Kimi enroute to the second place in the championship. Massa is arguably as good a driver as Lewis and is also a favorite at the maranello camp, something that didn’t cause a rift with Kimi due to the finn’s ice cool nature. This even though the car time and again handled better for Massa than Kimi, however Alonso is not the one to keep quiet over such inequalities. Alonso is a great team leader but Massa unfortunately is no slouch. Alonso is a fiery latino with a intense competitive streak which is again a reflection of Massa’s qualities. Like poles repel and this equation looks no different. Come 2010 the best man will win but there will be collateral damage!

Kimi Raikkonen’s 2010 Destination

There is continuing speculation on the destination of the Iceman Kimi Raikkonen. While initial speculation hinted at a destination within F1 there’s now a possibility of Rally and Nascar racing as well! The paddock is now ripe with possibilities of Mclaren, Toyota and even Redbull as a likely destination although the last option is closed due to the team’s decision to retain the current lineup for next year. Amidst, all this speculation it’s important to note the Finn’s desires if we were to guess his destination for the next year. Kimi wants to, firstly – Be part of a team capable of championship and Secondly- Get a substantial salary. Clearly the answer to the first question is Mclaren as no other team apart from Ferrai and Mclaren have consistently proved themselves to be championship contenders. But the answer to the latter isn’t a simple one, especially so in current economic times. Ferrari have had a history of pampering their teams and star drivers and this trend continued with Kimi. His salary was exorbitant($52 M) but negotiable in better economic times however given the intention of all teams to reign in costs that salary will be impossible to match. 

Clearly, that would leave Kimi with no choice but to drop his salary to less stratospheric heights but nevertheless one that cannot be matched by Nascar or Rally racing. Surely Kimi will not act on the threat to stay away from racing given his competitive desire, age and instinct to race. This obviously leads only one way and that’s towards a top F1 team who can pay the star close to his demands. This in conjunction with the statement by Mclaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh that “Kimi would be welcome to the team and would form a great fit” seems not just appropriate but perhaps the whole truth. Who better for some Mclaren winter testing than the “Iceman” himself!