BMW Sauber resists Spanish star, sticks with Kubica & Heidfeld
The chances of Fernando Alonso staying at Renault next season now look nailed-on, after BMW today announced its decision to retain Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld for 2009. With no seat at BMW, McLaren or Ferrari to tempt him, and on the back of a fine win at Singapore, Alonso knows he is best-off sticking with Flavio Briatore and co. for one more season, before he - almost certainly - moves to Ferrari in 2010.
Either Nando stays at Renault for one more year, or… well, the alternatives are not appealing. The Spaniard could make a lucrative move to struggling Honda, or even a shock transfer to Scuderia Toro Rosso, the little team that gives you wings. But Gridcrasher can’t see Alonso leaving the cosy Renault motorhome to drive for a team that is less competitive than the one he is currently signed to.
As for Kubica and Heidfeld, they probably deserve to keep their seats. Kubica has faded slightly after a brilliant start to the season, but he has still done more than enough to convince BMW that he has the pace required to win races in 2009. Heidfeld’s seat was thought to be under threat but the German has not done too much wrong in 2008, even if he has been owned by his Polish team-mate in qualifying. Christian Klien keeps his role as BMW’s senior test driver.
Do you think BMW are right to stick with its 2008 drivers? Gridcrasher would have taken a chance on Alonso - if the team really wanted to send a message to Ferrari and McLaren about its ambitions to challenge for the title next year, surely it must to do everything in its power to sign the best driver on the grid? Unless they didn’t have the choice - because Alonso has already committed to Ferrari for 2010 - it seems like a very conservative decision.
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8 responses so far
1 Vroom // Oct 6, 2008 at 10:56 am
I feel sorry for BMW! The should have signed the best driver when they had the chance. Next year, Renault and Fernando will be very strong to challenge Ferrari and McLiar
2 Bacardi Breezer // Oct 6, 2008 at 11:40 am
i think you areright. Renault will be stronger, and maybe at the front with Fernando, but if Raikkonen does not finish 2 place in the next 3 races then Fernando will replace him at Ferrari for next year!!!! simple as that!!
3 Jack Daggers // Oct 6, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I hope fernando and renault are back up at the front for next year.. go fernando!
I hope the 2009 mclaren is a piece of shit!
4 Its Hammer Time // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Nando hasn’t got a chance…especially in that Renault. I predict we will see Di Grassi in the No.2 car and Vettel with the same engine embarassing him next year…he will throw a wobbler having been beaten by a rookie team mate AGAIN…and leave…expect to see him in the ‘Honda-2010-retirement-home-for-over-the-hill-hasbeens’…GO LEWIS
5 A Ludlow // Oct 6, 2008 at 3:04 pm
The best driver on the grid is Lewis Hamilton. And who would want that nasty, spoilt, brattish, petty, annoying, ugly Alonso anyway? He needs to be in a team with no competitive teammate and most teams want TWO good drivers, not just one. He’s made his filthy bed now he has to lie in it.
6 broker // Oct 6, 2008 at 4:53 pm
BMW should have picked Fernando!
7 RustyRuss // Oct 6, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Ferrari doesn’t want him BMW doesn’t want him,
maybe it’s time for Fred fans to stop blaming Lewis
and realize that their guy damaged himself and is
gonna to take a chance on Honda or hope Renault can turn it around.
8 Lia // Oct 6, 2008 at 9:28 pm
what short-sighted people you are if you think it’s BMW who didn’t take Alonso or want Alonso - when they themselves stated they were waiting for Alonso to make a decision…otherwise why would it matter? They could have announced their driver lineup long ago….
It’s clearly more a case that Alonso has refused BMW’s offer, and is pretty much decided to stay at Renault but they will not announce their lineup until they decide on Nelson’s position.