Ferrari and Alonso versus McLaren and Hamilton in 2009
There are many lessons to be learned from this season in Formula One. The first is that Fernando Alonso is still a master. The second is Ferrari needs a dominant driver given the fall of Kimi.
Mention Formula One and the same criticisms are spewed out. There is no real fire. Drivers do not try to pass one another enough. The personalities are to boring. There is no real passion with the teams.
I propose that the only way to add life to F1 is to get a good, vicious rivalry going. Yes, McLaren and Ferrari have a go every so often, but we need individuals involved to really get the blood up and boiling.
How great would a driver rivalry be? Look at last year. Alonso and Hamilton went at it so hard on the same team that they forgot about Kimi and let him win the title. It made for great entertainment and racing.
For much of this season, the rivalry has short circuited do to the poor performance of the Renault. That has changed recently and what has happened? Alonso and Hamilton have fired up the rivalry. Hopefully, they will meet on the track in the last few races as well.
For my measure, the Ferrari is a bit better than the McLaren, but the McLaren is a bit more reliable. As we have all seen, the McLaren is far superior in the wet. On top of this, the Ferrari team has made some horrific gaffs.
Turning to the 2009 season, imagine Alonso at Ferrari. One tends to think the pit and strategy problems would become a thing of the past. As a great driver in the rain, he would also solve much of that short coming in the car.
Who would Alonso replace? The obvious answer is Raikkonen. I love Kimi, but he is done. He may have a contract for next year, but Ferrari would be crazy not to let him go. Do not be surprised if something does not come together in the offseason.
When it comes to Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, you simply cannot sit on the fence. You love one of them and think the other is a no good punk. Whatever your choice, a rivalry built around these two drivers would be epic.
The blazing red Ferrari of Alonso and the silver fox McLaren of Hamilton. First race of the 2009 season. They are side by side on the front row. The lights go out and the two blaze down to turn one and the rivalry would start to boil.
In the big picture, it is hard to imagine why Alonso would not end up at Ferrari. He clearly desires it and Ferrari must realize it has a driver problem. Let us hope the move happens so 2009 can be a season for the ages.