Who will drive at McLaren next year?
"This town ain't big enough for the two of us."
I know there are several posts in the different threads alluding to this question, but surely everyone must be wondering if the two current drivers can remain in this dysfunctional, albeit fast team.
During this whole debacle, Ron Dennis has severely embarrased himself by blaming Lewis Hamilton publicly for the debacle, although his behaviour immediately after Q3 frog marching Alonso's boyfriend from the pit lane suggests otherwise. Then Ron comes with a convoluted spin to the FIA who promptly tells him they don't believe (his lies) him, and they throw him out of points earned during the race and bans him from the podium ceremony. Now all this has damaged not only the McLaren brand but also the Mercedes brand. To make it worse, the exchange of words between Lewis Hamilton and Ron Dennis has become a big joke in discussion forums. All this coming from the ongoing embarrasment of Trudygate (Stepnygate/Coughlangate).
Can the two drivers show enough respect for each other to compete for the rest of the year without fighting against each other? let alone another season? and will they refrain from running each other off the track?
And who will depart if one of them does?
Lewis Hamilton has McLaren in his blood, so Ron claims, but he is paying Lewis peanuts compared with Alonso. Alonso won't even speak to Ron, but converses through his boyfriend. I am sure there are other teams which will gladly have Lewis Hamilton in their team with a hefty payrise, and possibly most will also be happy to have Alonso talents if not his tantrums. Maybe Flav might want him back.
So what do you guys think?
There is hope, with Dr Phil
I just watched Dr Phil today and I think there lies the answer for McLaren. Ron Dennis, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton should seek the counselling and help of Dr Phil, and maybe Fernando should bring along his massager for good measure. I am sure Dr Phil could give some very good advice, counselling and help to all of them and bring them together for a group hug.
That would be the best way forward for the rest of this year, and if it works, then why not for next year also!
I don't see any other way forward for this lot.
Let's look at the details
Renault has Fisi and Heiki. When you consider what Fisi has been doing for hte past 3 years, it doesn't stack up to much. Granted he has been fast on occasions, but Alonso was definitely #1 there and Flav made no secret of that. In fact, I still can't understand why Alonso left Renault. If Alonso replaces Fisi or eve Heiki, he will definitelt be #1 there and there won't be this swapping of who comes in when during Q3 - Alonso will be favoured whatever the fuel strategy may be.
BMW has Heidfeld and Kubica. Rumours have been going round all year that Nick wants/will be leaving. However, a swap there may not give him a clear #1 as Kubica has been a surprise there and is very fast all the time. I could see Mercedes being happy with Heidfeld coming to McLaren just the same.
Ferrari won't cough up Kimi, especially since he is performing better with each race. Massa isn't that slow either, and if Ferrari can get their drivers to work well together, having Alonso muscle his way into the team might prove disruptive.
I can't see Alonso agreeing to go to any of the other teams. But I really don't see Alonso remaining at McLaren unless there is a quantum attitude improvement by him. Not talking to his team mate only disrupts the entire team, and won't endear him to anyone at Mclaren. In fact, I just wonder what his own team's mechanics think of his shenanigans last weekend - they worked very hard and the team must feel they were robbed of a podium by his antics, not to mention the WCC points.
