Motorsports Thread
- Thread starter Reynard
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Illaveago
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham,Wiltshire.
OP
OP
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
I think Alonso jumped before he was pushed - given that one of the sports worst kept secrets is that Oscar Piastri was pretty well much guaranteed a race seat at Alpine for 2023. And as a French* team, they're not going to get rid of Ocon.
* they're about as French as fish & chips and jelly & ice cream, given that they started out life as Toleman back in the day
Nationality for a team is about who owns their competition licence, not where they're actually based.
* they're about as French as fish & chips and jelly & ice cream, given that they started out life as Toleman back in the day
Nationality for a team is about who owns their competition licence, not where they're actually based.
figbat
Slippery scientist
- Location
- South Oxfordshire, UK
I remember the Toleman factory in Witney. Now they're on the Oxfordshire riviera at Enstone, having been through Benetton along the way.I think Alonso jumped before he was pushed - given that one of the sports worst kept secrets is that Oscar Piastri was pretty well much guaranteed a race seat at Alpine for 2023. And as a French* team, they're not going to get rid of Ocon.
* they're about as French as fish & chips and jelly & ice cream, given that they started out life as Toleman back in the day
Merc is the same, "German" but based in Brackley with engines from Brixworth - born out of BAR and Tyrell before it. The Austrian Red Bulls based in the Milton Keynes alps, evolved from Jaguar/Stewart.
Aston Martin is US-owned but out of Jordan/Midland (Silverstone).
Alfa Romeo used to be Mercedes (when run by Sauber in World Sportscars) and BMW.
It's a twisted tale - only Ferrari has a really pure bloodline and heritage.
But - Alonso. It feels early in the season to be kicking off the musical chairs but Seb lit the fuse with his departure announcement. If Piastri is to get the Alpine seat then they'll have Ocon as their 'lead'.... brave!
OP
OP
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
You've quite forgotten Williams and Mclaren!
The way the licences are set up these days, and the financial strictures put in place on potential entrants, it's far easier to buy out an existing team than build something up from scratch. It's almost as if it's become a closed shop, these days. So different from when I started watching motor racing 40 years ago, when you could buy a Cosworth DFV, a Hewland gearbox, build a chassis or buy one from another team, and go F1 racing.
I recently bought a copy of "Toleman: Formula One's Last Romantics" by Christopher Hilton - a banging book if you can get your mitts on a copy. Although there's a photo of Rory Byrne wearing a pair of budgie smugglers in there that's got me reaching for the mind bleach...
I now have the only two books ever published about Toleman, having bought the Bob Constanduros volume about 25 years ago from the OOP shelf in Foyles.
D
Deleted member 26715
Guest
I'm not sure that's quite the word I would use
Tom B
Guru
- Location
- Lancashire
Speaking of books Alonso's will be a good read.
I expect the McLaren Chapters will be interesting.
He doesn't seem backwards about being forwards..
I expect the McLaren Chapters will be interesting.
He doesn't seem backwards about being forwards..
Jody
Stubborn git
I'm hoping Lewis' sheds light on the first season at MCL. Not so much about the Alonso side but what went on behind closed doors that he still isn't allowed to speak about.
OP
OP
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
A lot of stuff remains "behind closed doors" in motor racing and will never see the light of day. Well, in the public arena, at least. You won't find that much in the way of explosive revelations in books, I'm afraid - totally the opposite of most other celebrities. Image really is king, here. Sometimes you can read between the lines, but in books and articles, it's more about what's not being said than what is.
In the paddock, it's different, though. There's a whole culture of "I really shouldn't tell you this, but..." - which certainly makes life interesting.
And yes, I do know stuff that's not for public consumption. And it's why certain very well-known drivers are persona non grata here chez Casa Reynard.
In the paddock, it's different, though. There's a whole culture of "I really shouldn't tell you this, but..." - which certainly makes life interesting.
And yes, I do know stuff that's not for public consumption. And it's why certain very well-known drivers are persona non grata here chez Casa Reynard.
matticus
Guru
D
Deleted member 26715
Guest
Depends what his spin doctors think, it will depend on what it makes him look like & what it does to the brand
Jody
Stubborn git
Can't see that it would damage his brand.
D
Deleted member 26715
Guest
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/1...to-replace-fernando-alonso-for-formula-1-2023
Sky say it's a shock, they are clearly outside the inner ring, although I thought this guy was the guy who shot his girlfriend through the bathroom door.
Sky say it's a shock, they are clearly outside the inner ring, although I thought this guy was the guy who shot his girlfriend through the bathroom door.
D
Deleted member 26715
Guest
Oops
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/1...e-will-be-driving-elsewhere-in-formula-1-2023
He's not happy they didn't ask him
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/1...e-will-be-driving-elsewhere-in-formula-1-2023
He's not happy they didn't ask him
