Centurion

Toyota signed an experienced driver last time and we all know how that went. But you're right, Alonso or an experienced driver from a top team is what Toyota desperately need. Heidfeld would be a suitable Toyota driver too but I doubt that BMW are willing to let him loose.

450SEL6.9

Pat Symonds is not as famous as Brawn, but he's a good man to have in the team, probably very underrated. If I'm Toyota, I'd try to poach Heidfeld and Sam Michael, with an intent to poach Kubica in a few years. As long as Toyota can show some progress or get to where Ferrari was in '95, their money should allow them to get anyone.

Unfortunately, their choice of experience drivers was very suspect. First, they signed the wrong Schumacher for a massive price. Their other experienced driver might look like Ayrton Senna, but ol' Jarno Trulli can't exactly develop a car like Senna.

Remember the Million Dollar Man in wrestling? Everybody's got a price, everybody's got to pay! The contractual situation in F1 is less clear these days. Drivers can get out of contracts. Even after Massa signed his new deal, some F1 observers still think he is far from safe.

Tycoon

Alonso-Renault talks in deadlock


Three years or no deal - Ghosn

Negotiations between Fernando Alonso and Renault about 2008 have reached a deadlock, reports from Spain and Italy on Tuesday said.

The Spanish sports daily Marca claims that while team boss Flavio Briatore is happy to accept Alonso's demands for a one-year contract, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn is refusing to budge on the offer of a minimally three-year stay.

It is rumoured that Alonso wants a one year deal because he has already agreed to switch to Ferrari in 2009 - despite Kimi Raikkonen being under contract to the end of 2009 and Felipe Massa recently confirmed to the end of 2010. That is a scenario that might understandably be unattractive to Renault chiefs.

The wire service Agenzia Giornalistica Italia quotes Ghosn as confirming: "It's three years or nothing."

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Remy Zero

i just hope he doesn't drive for my beloved Scuderia at all

Centurion

He can always spend a year at Toyota. Him and Glock would make a great team.

bmer

Yup, I believe Toyota could sacrifice Trulli if Alonso didn't charge too much for his services.

Tycoon

lonso-Renault announcement imminent



Path cleared for Alonso to rejoin Renault

With Renault spared sanctions for possessing McLaren secrets, the path is now clear for Fernando Alonso to sign with the French team for 2008.

The Spaniard had delayed his final decision about next year until it was clear that he would not bear the burden of any penalties; or whether in fact Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn would pull the plug on the F1 programme altogether in the face of a hefty fine.

But Spanish media, including the newspaper Diario AS, report that 26-year-old will certainly now sign a two-year contract.

Alonso's contract will reportedly include an exit clause in the event that the new collaboration 'does not work' for unspecified reasons.

'The announcement is imminent,' the newspaper predicted, speculating that next Monday could be the day.


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