Alonso was only free for 2008 - Mateschitz
Quote selected text Published by clive April 9th, 2008 in Formula 1
The billionaire owner of Red Bull Racing may have let the cat out of the bag regarding Fernando Alonso’s plans for 2009.
Dietrich Mateschitz has told a Spanish newspaper that Red Bull was in the running to sign the double world champion this year.
But he seemed to rule out making another bid for Alonso, 26, for 2009.
“His situation was complicated because he was free for one year only,” the 63-year-old is quoted as saying by El Mundo.
“In such a short period, we would not have been able to demonstrate our ability.
“I am one of those people who thinks that Alonso is one of the best drivers. But we could not have delivered the car he needed, and so the decision would have been wrong.
“What we like to do is take one step whilst thinking of the next,” he added.
Mateschitz’s comments indicate not only that Alonso sought to accommodate himself just for a single campaign in 2008, but also that his plans for 2009 were already well advanced.
It is currently rumoured that the Spaniard is hoping to line up at Ferrari next year.
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How good is Dieter’s English? No offense meant by that question, but what if he really meant that Alonso just wanted a one-year contract (which he said many times), and Dieter had a little grammatical slip-up?
“He was free for one year only”
vs.
“He only wanted to stay for one year”
Very close, but for someone who isn’t very good at English, they may not have realized the vastly different possible interpretations of those two comments.
I think it’s just an indication that Alonso wanted a drive for 2008 only, leaving him free to get into a better team thereafter, Malcolm. Fernando may hope to get a Ferrari seat next year but I don’t think there’s much chance of that.
I tend to agree… but this article is asserting otherwise.
I was wondering if Dieter intended to say that he just wanted a one-year contract so he was free to move anywhere for 2009, or if Dieter was alluding to him already being committed to a seat in 2009.
The way I read it, Mateschitz was saying Alonso wasn’t interested in Red Bull beyond 2008 - and that would mean there is nothing definite for 2009. I can see what you’re saying, that he might mean Alonso is already committed elsewhere after this year, but that is probably reading too much into it. Can you see any top team have given him a firm commitment as yet? And it would have to be a top team, of course, Fernando isn’t looking at anything else.
>
That’s what I was referring to directly, which is also what caught the eye of the author. If he was free for one year only, that would be an implication by most people that he is committed to something else for the following year.
On another note… Ferrari? Unlikely. I think Kimi and Fernando would butt heads. Honda? Very likely. Brawn and Alonso would help the team make leaps and bounds. BMW? A little less likely, but if Heidfeld doesn’t keep up with Kubica, I could see him losing the seat before too long.
…and what about post Jarno’s era, or Sir Frank feeling in need
of a dream pair…?
…do someone foresee Renault commited long after Flavio’s gone…?
I think Flavio will retire when Alonso goes and Renault will quit when Flavio stops. Dominoes that all depend on Alonso!
…there is also the «-Wonderfull Adventures of Prodrive-» that leaves
a nice piece of property on the grid…
…love will not keep Fravio & Carlos on a honeymoon for long…?
Flavio’s name should be XXL on the canopy, in the next episopde of
« F-1, the sequel »…hopefully not a sequel of « Jacques & Craig goes
to Hondaland »…!
…Flavio more likely would be a solid asset in the « India Quest »…?
…more matches…??