[morini]

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/138215...m-red-bull

Fernando Alonso hopes Red Bull Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner will apologise for criticising him, and has given more details of offers he claims to have had from RBR.

Helmut Marko, Red Bull's motorsport advisor, also recently said that Alonso's "demands were very tedious" when talks were actually held with him a decade ago, and accused the Spaniard of turning his teams into "a one-man show".

Alonso said that criticism was at odds with the interest Red Bull had shown in him.

God I love a verbal punch up between two parties I have little regard for. Makes for a very entertaining diversion

I wonder who will come out of this looking the biggest cockwomble?

[PapaofGags]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/alons...s/3165287/

Fernando Alonso says he rejected an offer to drive for Red Bull in Formula 1 next season because he was not convinced it could offer him the chance to win.

The build-up to this weekend’s Belgian GP has featured a bizarre tit-for-tat as Alonso said Red Bull approached him to replace Renault-bound Daniel Ricciardo’s in 2019.

Alonso claims to have turned down “four or five” offers, including one from Red Bull, to stick with his decision to quit F1 at the end of this year.
Red Bull insists it has not approached him since 2007.
“I had other offers as well,” said Alonso. “I don’t think my targets or my challenges for next year were in F1 anymore.

“The offers I had, including that one [from Red Bull], they were not for winning.
“They are [all] probably, on performance, more than one second from pole position, as we saw [in Belgian GP qualifying].
“To be fifth or sixth or seventh will not be the same challenge or enthusiasm as I can find away from F1 in 2019.
“I made my decision a couple of months ago and I’m extremely happy with that.”
Red Bull has won three grands prix this season but is switching to Honda engines next year as its relationship with Renault has increasingly soured.
Alonso has a fractious recent history with Honda, having routinely criticised the Japanese manufacturer during its troubled three-season spell with McLaren from 2015-17.
While Alonso is not alone in doubting Red Bull’s ability to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari next season with Honda, he claims to have been offered drives in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013, which would mean he rejected the team during its spell of four double titles from 2010-‘13.
“I was happy at Ferrari,” Alonso said. “We were maybe not winning the championship, and it seems like we were not competitive and a long time not winning, but we were second three times.
“In all the offers I had after that, I still had Ferrari in my heart and I believed the following year was the good one.”
Red Bull and Alonso agree that an offer came when the Spaniard was leaving McLaren from his tumultuous single season in 2007.
Alonso said he had offers from Red Bull, Toyota and his 2005-’06 title-winning team Renault, which he eventually rejoined.
He explained he did not pick Red Bull because it was still a growing team and not in contention to win.

Alonso says another offer came when he was on the brink of signing for Ferrari for 2010.
“It was a little bit of a stressful time,” said Alonso. “I had like four days to decide, and I was talking quite seriously to Ferrari.
“At that time I thought Ferrari was the safest thing and the best choice for the future.
“I’m still proud to make that decision. If you have crystal ball maybe you change opinion, but if not you will not say no to Ferrari.”

[PapaofGags]

Sky gossip.

Liberty Media asked Red Bull about signing Alonso
Although Christian Horner, the Red Bull chief, has continued to insist the team didn't offer Fernando Alonso a seat In 2019, Horner says Liberty Media did approach the team about signing the Spaniard.
"There was just an enquiry [from Liberty] as to whether we would consider Fernando," confirmed Horner.
"Which you can understand from a promoter's point of view: Fernando Alonso is a great asset to Formula One; if he could be in a competitive car I'm sure they would prefer him staying than pursuing his triple crown. I wouldn't expect them to do anything different."

[PapaofGags]

https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/...t/3168306/

Double Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso will sample a 2018-spec IndyCar for the first time next week in a private test, McLaren has confirmed.

McLaren has been linked to an affiliation with Andretti for its potential 2019 programme, reviving its '17 Indy 500 partnership, as well as a takeover of the financially struggling Harding Racing.
While Motorsport.com understands McLaren is likely to sign a deal with Chevrolet for an engine supply, Honda has stated its interest in working with Alonso once again.

[Monster Hesh]

Basically dooming its F1 project even more by splitting its resources.

[forzaferrari]

I get the feeling Kmag isnt a fan

Kevin Magnussen has hit out at his Formula 1 rival Fernando Alonso in the aftermath of their run-in in qualifying, saying the Spaniard "laughed in my face" and “thinks he's a god”.
Alonso tried to pass Magnussen round the outside into the first chicane on the final lap in Q2, but the pair ended up scrapping for position and ruining each other's laps as they both missed out on a Q3 berth.
The two-time champion laughed off the encounter on team radio, and aimed derisive comments at Magnussen after the session – with the Haas driver now firing back.
“I don't care to speculate why he did it. I think it was just pretty stupid and not necessary,” said Magnussen, who had previous disagreements with McLaren driver Alonso earlier this year.
“He thought he could have the perfect slipstream and overtake me. He gained, I don't know how many tenths - but you gain a lot if you do that.
“But I'm not going to let him pass me, and sacrifice my own lap. No way. I know he thinks he's a god, but no way.”
Alonso had pointed to Magnussen passing him on the out-lap as a cause of the incident.
“We were kind of six or eight cars, in a bit of a group,” Magnussen recalled. “And at the exit of Ascari Fernando was warming his brakes, I think, so not going fast.
“And I'm going fast, so just cruised past him. But then for some reason he decides to try and accelerate and get close to me, rather than create a gap, as everyone else is doing. "Obviously he got a perfect slipstream and thought he could overtake into Turn 1 - but I'd rather hang myself.”

Asked about Alonso's jovial reaction on the radio, Magnussen said: “He came to me after qualifying and laughed to my face.
“Just outright disrespectful. Can't wait for him to retire.”

When prompted, Magnussen also commented on the Spaniard's perceived tendency to compliment himself: “He's talking about his laps being divine and whatnot. He literally thinks he's a god. It's pretty amusing.”

The stewards investigated the run-in after the session and called up both drivers, but ultimately ruled that the incident “did not specifically constitute unnecessary impeding by either driver”.
“If you impede someone while you're on a push lap yourself, it's not impeding apparently,” Magnussen said. “That part is the same as with Kimi [Raikkonen] in France.
“Perhaps something we need to look at. I don't really mind, as long as it's the same for everyone, it's fine.
“It'd be interested to see, if it was the other way [around], how it would be. But [I] can only speculate.”

[LotusLover]

I get the feeling Kmag isnt a fan

Kevin Magnussen has hit out at his Formula 1 rival Fernando Alonso in the aftermath of their run-in in qualifying, saying the Spaniard "laughed in my face" and “thinks he's a god”.
Alonso tried to pass Magnussen round the outside into the first chicane on the final lap in Q2, but the pair ended up scrapping for position and ruining each other's laps as they both missed out on a Q3 berth.
The two-time champion laughed off the encounter on team radio, and aimed derisive comments at Magnussen after the session – with the Haas driver now firing back.
“I don't care to speculate why he did it. I think it was just pretty stupid and not necessary,” said Magnussen, who had previous disagreements with McLaren driver Alonso earlier this year.
“He thought he could have the perfect slipstream and overtake me. He gained, I don't know how many tenths - but you gain a lot if you do that.
“But I'm not going to let him pass me, and sacrifice my own lap. No way. I know he thinks he's a god, but no way.”
Alonso had pointed to Magnussen passing him on the out-lap as a cause of the incident.
“We were kind of six or eight cars, in a bit of a group,” Magnussen recalled. “And at the exit of Ascari Fernando was warming his brakes, I think, so not going fast.
“And I'm going fast, so just cruised past him. But then for some reason he decides to try and accelerate and get close to me, rather than create a gap, as everyone else is doing. "Obviously he got a perfect slipstream and thought he could overtake into Turn 1 - but I'd rather hang myself.”

Asked about Alonso's jovial reaction on the radio, Magnussen said: “He came to me after qualifying and laughed to my face.
“Just outright disrespectful. Can't wait for him to retire.”

When prompted, Magnussen also commented on the Spaniard's perceived tendency to compliment himself: “He's talking about his laps being divine and whatnot. He literally thinks he's a god. It's pretty amusing.”

The stewards investigated the run-in after the session and called up both drivers, but ultimately ruled that the incident “did not specifically constitute unnecessary impeding by either driver”.
“If you impede someone while you're on a push lap yourself, it's not impeding apparently,” Magnussen said. “That part is the same as with Kimi [Raikkonen] in France.
“Perhaps something we need to look at. I don't really mind, as long as it's the same for everyone, it's fine.
“It'd be interested to see, if it was the other way [around], how it would be. But [I] can only speculate.”

Alonso was out of order from what I saw, don’t think he cares to be honest

[Antilochos]

Agree with LotusLover.

Alonso is a great driver, but lately he seems to don't care anymore.
Fine, but if you're so done with the sport, why don't just quite? At least don't mess up a run of other drivers.

Thought it was a stupid move and think Alonso acted like an asshole about it.

[Foghorn Leghorn]

Agree with LotusLover.

Alonso is a great driver, but lately he seems to don't care anymore.
Fine, but if you're so done with the sport, why don't just quite? At least don't mess up a run of other drivers.

Thought it was a stupid move and think Alonso acted like an asshole about it.

Shock horror - I feel somewhat different, hahaha - thought it was a right laugh, pun intended, it's not like Kmag hasn't got other drivers backs up with some of his antics, perhaps instead of laughing, Alonso should have said, "suck my balls Kevin" haha

I'm not denying his arrogance, but it seemed both guys just got in each others way, and the stewards agreed, it happens,

found the reaction of both very entertaining,

Alonso: "Magnussen wanted to race for some reason"

Kmag: "I'd rather hang myself than let him pass"

haha love it, yous guys are so serious about these things

[LotusLover]

Haha well it’s more serious for KMags as he cares Alonso however