[Hatari]

Originally Posted by StarrySky

New rumours are that Luca is leaving Ferrari. He is off to run an airline (Ethihad-AlItalia).

Yes, heard that too. 2nd most powerful man in F1 after Bernie.
Rumours of Alonso leaving will now gather steam too i suppose.

[Blue_V]

I read it on auto123.com
Alonso is demanding record salary ($50 million) to continue with Ferrari. What can he do, Kimi just shot himself, Ferrari designing bad car. Only Alonso's talent is keeping that Ferrari where it is. Imagine if both Ferraris performed like Kimi. (I like Kimi by the way)

[Fullrevs]

If Ferrari want any success in the future they better retain Alonso for whatever he demands. They have always banked on the presence of a strong driver in the team. If they dont have that, its looking ever so bleak.

In that interview with Aldo Costa, he rules out Alonso ever joining Mercedes. So looks like the Alonso to Mclaren rumours will start to gather strength.

[Hatari]

Marmorini: Ferrari sacrificed engine for aero
http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/vi..._aerodynamics/

If this is the case.. it is entirely on Stefano Domenicali.
This call should have been his on engine power vs aero.. not the chassis designer.
Real shame.

[Blue_V]

Mario Andretti:“Fernando [Alonso] is one of those brilliant talents who will maximise everything you throw at him. He’s an enormous talent and he’s shown that all along. He just knows how to get 100% out of everything he’s driving and that’s all you can ask.

“He’s keeping Ferrari alive very well. Kimi has a little bit of work to do I think,”

Source

11 races completed and Fernando has been in top 6 in 10 races. He is 15 points shy off Daniel Ricciardo, who has been making news with two wins. Thats just amazing.

Frenchman Eric Boullier has admitted McLaren Formula 1 team is looking to eventually "refresh" its driver line-up.

It is believed that if McLaren does oust a current driver to make way for a newcomer, it would be the 2009 world champion Jenson Button, 34, who is out of contract.

McLaren supremo Ron Dennis made waves recently when he urged Button to "try harder".

Source

I hope Alonso moves to Mclaren-Honda but I think his salary demands might just blow the deal, so he ends up staying at Ferrari with a mega salary. Makes me sad. Nando definitely deserves another title.

[Fullrevs]

Nando deserves three more titles if you ask me. His grit and passion is phenomenal. His ex-team mates come on the press to say that he can drive any car at its potential and doesnt care about a nervous front end or rear end. Its a pity to see him get older with barely any success. Ferrari is my favourite team but I blame them for almost ruining Alonso's career.

There's no doubt that Ferrari is in disarray. I hope Mattiaci knows what he is doing. If things dont look up next year also (no question of a title), Alonso better look at another seat.

[sajands]

Caterham have announced that Andre Lotterer will race in Belgium this weekend, replacing Kamui Kobayashi.

After days of speculation, Caterham confirmed on Wednesday that Lotterer, who competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship, will line-up on the grid for "this round of the championship".

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/94...Lotterer-Drive

-Sajan

[Maky]

Originally Posted by Blue_V

I read it on auto123.com
Alonso is demanding record salary ($50 million) to continue with Ferrari. What can he do, Kimi just shot himself, Ferrari designing bad car. Only Alonso's talent is keeping that Ferrari where it is. Imagine if both Ferraris performed like Kimi. (I like Kimi by the way)

Thats a lot!
Although, I think the record was and still should be what MSC was pulling in during his domination years. Wasn't it something to the tune of $70m? i.e as salary from Ferrari alone and then on top of that his Personal sponsorships easily pushing him beyond $100m annually.

[TB16]

Originally Posted by Maky

Thats a lot!
Although, I think the record was and still should be what MSC was pulling in during his domination years. Wasn't it something to the tune of $70m? i.e as salary from Ferrari alone and then on top of that his Personal sponsorships easily pushing him beyond $100m annually.

IMO Fernando is the best F1 driver in the current line-up followed by lewis. Everyone knows how he is keeping ferrari alive. I think ferrari should blindly comply to his demands and try to give him a good car next year.

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by Maky

Thats a lot!
Although, I think the record was and still should be what MSC was pulling in during his domination years. Wasn't it something to the tune of $70m? i.e as salary from Ferrari alone and then on top of that his Personal sponsorships easily pushing him beyond $100m annually.

Highest Schumi earned was $30million.. it was capped at that towards his later years at Ferrari.

[Maky]

Originally Posted by Hatari

Highest Schumi earned was $30million.. it was capped at that towards his later years at Ferrari.

Really : 0.
Cap set by who?

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by Maky

Really : 0.
Cap set by who?

By mutual agreement. I assume caused by the crackdown on tobacco advertising/funding.

[arun_kun]

If I remember correctly Kimi still holds the record as highest paid at 51 millions.

[deetjohn]

51 million looks big, but its still very reasonable when you bring other sports and world class professionals into picture.

For example, Real Madrid paid Spurs 80 million GBP last year for Gareth Bale. His weekly compensation and other perks are all extra. So, 50 million for Alonso is amazing value for money, ain't it?

Though, I still haven't warmed up to Alonso being a Ferrari driver even now, he is as good as it gets come race day. Alonso is one reason why SF is punching above its weight for many seasons now. To lose him will be terrible.

[Maky]

Originally Posted by Hatari

By mutual agreement. I assume caused by the crackdown on tobacco advertising/funding.

I see. So it was a "cap" then rather than an actual cap : ).
It could also well have been put in place to get rid of the image(correct so) Ferrari has in F1, which is that of a ridiculously rich team. Even now, whenever an article is printed which tells of Ferraris expenses are quickly dismissed by Luc....errr the Horse whisperer.