Brundle: Alonso A Massive Coup

[Jem of the Shire 0]

M Schumacher used renault engines in 95

[ecapdeville 0]

M Schumacher used renault engines in 95

yes...But even those years I hated him...so...not much.

You are soon rooting for half the field then. Alosnso, Fisi, Jarno, Button, and Villenueve. Would make it very engaging i guess...

Of course...good star maker is Renault...

[Senna 0]

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MARTIN BRUNDLE EXCLUSIVE

ITV

What does Fernando Alonso's defection to McLaren mean for Formula 1? How will it effect the driver market and what will it do the balance of power?

Well ITV-F1 commentator and former McLaren ace Martin Brundle for one reckons that signing the world champion has firmly swung things in Ron Dennis's favour.

Here Martin gives us his thoughts on F1's biggest story of the year.

This is a classic F1 "moment", it's one of those occasions that makes the sport so intriguing.

Signing Fernando Alonso is a very smart move by McLaren.

And the timing of the announcement is significant because it has been done so early.

I know how (McLaren team owner) Ron Dennis likes to get things out early, because it's good for the team's image, sponsorship packages and so on, but this gives them the high-ground on so many levels.

It's a massive coup.

It's also intriguing how McLaren has managed the internal politics. You now have two drivers looking at one seat. Effectively the music has stopped and there is one chair up for grabs. Unless one of them has already jumped ship for '07.

From McLaren's point of view though this also destablises a rival team.

Key Renault personnel have justifiably been making the highest praiseworthy noises recently about their World Champion driver and celebrating how well they won the world championship - and then suddenly that driver goes off and joins the season long 'enemy' right in the middle of it all.

They will surely be feeling bruised at Renault.

It's bound to destabilise the team and it certainly hurts them. It has a knock-on effect into mid-season as well because Renault will have to be selective when using Fernando for testing and development of future equipment.

Can you imagine being in Alonso's shoes as he cruises into the pits at the next test, or during the next factory visit?

From McLaren's point of view this is a masterstroke!

What is also interesting is the Flavio effect, Fernando's manager. What's his personal game plan now?

From Briatore and Alonso's point of view the timing of this announcement is all wrong. Why would they allow McLaren to announce this now, the week before Christmas and a full year ahead?

Why would Renault accept it just when they want to milk the marketing for the championship success?

It's surely going to hurt the motivation of the Renault team.

This news also says to me that Kimi may already be on his way to Ferrari.

If he isn't then Fernando joining the team will certainly have enhanced McLaren's negotiating stance over Kimi for 2007.

Now Kimi has less power to bring McLaren to the table and thus it makes it harder for him to go to Ferrari and say "make me a big offer."

It will be interesting to see how it plays out with the breakaway teams.

McLaren-Mercedes is a GPMA member and Fernando has now nailed his colours to their mast come what may.

If there is a split, as continually threatened, this year's world champion might not be racing in Formula 1 in '08.

Fernando's switch also makes me slightly nervous over Renault's future plans, particularly in light of Carlos Ghosn's recent remarks (the Renault CEO said that future F1 investment is dependent on car sales, not further victories).

Certainly, if you were working at the Team base in Enstone, you would be feeling a little concerned right now I would imagine, which is scant reward for a brilliant effort in 2005 when they produced the most reliable and ultimately the fastest car.

This news came as a surprise to everyone and as ever in Formula 1 there is more to this than meets the eye. Even in his statement Alonso said: "This is too good an opportunity to miss".

I think this is a curious quote for a world champion to make on announcing he is leaving a winning team.

There has got to be more going on behind the scenes.

[ecapdeville 0]

...Fernando's switch also makes me slightly nervous over Renault's future plans, particularly in light of Carlos Ghosn's recent remarks (the Renault CEO said that future F1 investment is dependent on car sales, not further victories).

Certainly, if you were working at the Team base in Enstone, you would be feeling a little concerned right now I would imagine, which is scant reward for a brilliant effort in 2005 when they produced the most reliable and ultimately the fastest car.

This news came as a surprise to everyone and as ever in Formula 1 there is more to this than meets the eye. Even in his statement Alonso said: "This is too good an opportunity to miss".

I think this is a curious quote for a world champion to make on announcing he is leaving a winning team...

Sad...I

[Senna 0]

Sad...I

[kiko01 0]

How do you view Alonso

[Jenson_Rules 0]

BOO!

[nojvnof1 0]

Alonso must know something we don't. Perhaps this is the first sign that Renault will pull out of F1 again?

[monza gorilla 1]

All manufacturers pull out. It's inevitable. As you say, Renault have done it more than once.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

strange that only 4 years ago renault were just about beating the minardi's

[foxtrot023 0]

How do you view Alonso

[ecapdeville 0]

How do you view Alonso

[Jem of the Shire 0]

You lot layed into Button BIG TIME in summer 2004 when Button announced he was leaving for williams. You bunch of biased b#####ds! I hope Renault do go down so that Honda can go up but I agree with others here that its likely Renault are planning to pull out.

[ecapdeville 0]

...I hope Renault do go down so that Honda can go up but I agree with others here that its likely Renault are planning to pull out...

I hope your doll makes you very happy

[Jem of the Shire 0]

I hope your doll makes you very happy

My doll has nothing to do with this conversation! But thank you for wishing happiness upon me

[nojvnof1 0]

You lot layed into Button BIG TIME in summer 2004 when Button announced he was leaving for williams. You bunch of biased b#####ds!

Totally different circumstances. Alonso will be out of contract when he moves. Button had just had an option on his services taken up by BAR and hence was still contracted to BAR. Just admit it, Button screwed up big time with Button-gate 1 and Button-gate 2.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

Yea he did screw up (although it was more his management than himself 1st time round). But Alonso appears to have gone behind his manager/mentor's back

[nojvnof1 0]

yeah, but he will be out of contract in 2007 so there is no problem. Button listened to his management, look what happened!!! Sometimes you have to look after your own interests.

[pumpdoc 2]

Yea he did screw up (although it was more his management than himself 1st time round). But Alonso appears to have gone behind his manager/mentor's back

Do you really think that Flav had no idea?

[Ctrl300 0]

Yea he did screw up (although it was more his management than himself 1st time round). But Alonso appears to have gone behind his manager/mentor's back

Dance or die, thats the question. Alonso has his contracrt with Flavio until the end of 2006, think of saving 10-15% of $30 M a year in agent fees, I'd take that. Alonso probably (not to sound childish) acted on his familys recommendation money wise. Seriously, where but Mclaren and maybe Toyota (given that the scarlet sissys are broke) could he such a sweet deal?