Ralf Schumacher to test for Force One ?

Question

It's true! According to grandprix.com , Ralf and a few others will test for the team. Your thoughts? Also, since Prodrive won't be fronting for next year, that rules out another option for Fernando ( although I think Giancarlo is also testing for Force One). Anyone still think Alonso won't sign with Renault?

Answer 1

Yes, Force India (ex Spyker) will have a monster line up in the following tests in Spain. Aside from Sutil, who is confirmed, there will be Liuzzi, Klein, Montagny, Van Der Garde, Rodlan, Fisichella, and yes, Ralf! I think the team are looking to fill only one spot....picking from all those drivers!!!!



As far as Ralf, I think his image has been limited by a subpar Toyota in the last years. Is he still good, or over the hill? I think this upcoming tests, compared to so many other drivers with same equipment, will tell us something. Personally, I think it may be time for him to leave F1, but if he is still fast, why should he? If we give room to new rookies and young talent, there must some old faces that have to go. Ralf may be one of them. On a separate note, it would certainly be intersting to see him on a competitive McLaren (with a vacant seat). What would he do?



Alonso: Still, among all options, Renaults looks the more feasible. Fernando wants to know what happens at the upcoming spy case involving Renault. Also, he wants a short-term contract. Every team interested in him wants to lock him with a rather long-term contract. Bottom line is that he needs to make a decision soon. It is still possible that he may take a year off. The actual deals on the table don't seem too good for a two-time world champion at this particulat juncture. He is trying everything to one day sign with Ferrari. He must be biting his nails, because once in the past he HAD a contract with Ferrari, but he tore it up, breaching the contract, to eventually go to Renault. That really made Ferrari angry. But time passed by and the animosity diminished. Based upon the talent, Ferrari will be interested in him, but only a few years from now. But, surprise, surprise, it now appears that Alonso and Honda are near a real contract. With Brawn as technical director, Alonso and Janson Button, plus a mega budget, can the Japanese team finally achieve something? Maybe Alonso is looking at Honda the same way that Michael Schumacher did when he left Benetton for Ferrari, with Brawn as well in the mix, building what turned out to be a fortress. Similar analogy, but will it work for Honda and Alonso?

Answer 2

I don't think Ralf stands a good chance to get that seat. He isn't consistent and he doesn't have a professional attitude. When Toyota signed Ralf on, I was actually surprised. And to find out how much he earns a year... that was even more surprising, considering his performances.



As for Alonso, I think he would sign with Renault. For one, they want him back. Secondly, he won his two titles there and he was successful. Thirdly, most options are closed to him since most teams have already confirmed their driver line-up. So if he doesn't make up his mind and sign with any team, he might face having no place next year.

Answer 3

Force One? I thought it was Force India. And yes he is, Fisi too is after that seat. Even though he still has a contract with Renault till the end of this year, he is still free to explore his options. There are a total of 7 drivers that want that seat then. Frankly speaking, Alonso's best chances are with Renault one way or another.

Answer 4

Yep. It's confirmed. Fisichella is also testing for Force India. So are Christian Klien, Giedo van der garde..... and a few more guys. I tink Alonso will definitely join Renault. It's the most likely.... most teams have confirmed their line up and there's limited pplaces. Too bad about Prodrive

Answer 5

I'm happy they've given him a chance but i really doubt they'll pick him over Tonio or or Klien who have the benefit of being younger than the german. I think that Alonso is still waiting for the results of the FIA investigation before he commits to a contract exceeding 12 months with the team, but he will probably end up with them since there aren't any other teams that would be able to accommodate his needs.

Answer 6

Yeah, Ralfie is testing for Force India.



Alonso has no choice other than go to Renault but will he be welcomed back? He kinda spat on them when he left Renault in 2006. Yeah, he said crap like "I feel kinda lonely" and "Renault wants Schumacher to win" after Chinese GP.

Answer 7

Ralf is need a good car and a good team to show his real power.. but sometimes his ethics & dicipline problem makes many team rejects him.

Answer 8

Ralf is hanging on to his career by a thread. He should go to the states where he can make a good income driving in the Indy league in a competitive can. Nobody wants to see his career ending with him striving for 15th place.

Giancarlo will end up taking the spot vacated by the driver who ends up being no2 at McLaren leaving Alonso at Renault. This has to happen soon as the drivers need km's behind the wheel to get used to no driver aids over the offseason.

Answer 9

Think Fernando will go to Renault yep!