Flavio-Fisico on the rocks again?

[f1_carzy]

Tempers seem to be running high between Flavio and Fisico after Fisi had throwing his gloves at Montreal, and could this be another exit like Trulli???

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=89506

[John Turner]

I would hope that Briatore was expressing a view not simply based on Fisi throwing his gloves off. It's a fairly mild reaction from an adrenalin pumped racing driver who has just departed from leading a GP. We've seen far more extreme examples of anger and frustration from other drivers. Still, Flavio does have a strange way of dealing with some of his drivers. Jarno, and come to think of it, Jensen, could probably tell us all about that!

[VilleneuveTracy]

If Fisichella leaves where can he go? Is there any good ride that likely will be available after the end of this season? Obviously the possibility exists that a few rides, such as either Ferrari ride, may be open after this season but right now it does not seem likely that any top ride will be open for 2006. If Button leaves BAR, which seems likely, that ride will likely be filled by Anthony Davidson so it is not a ride that will be available for Fisichella.

Also, if Fischella were to leave or be forced to leave Renault which top driver could Renault hire to replace him? Heidfeld may be available if Button gets a ride with Williams but is Heidfeld really a "top" driver right now? Who would likely get a seat with Renault if Fisichella left?

Given the current lack of viable options, I doubt that Fisichella will leave of his own accord, unless a good ride becomes available. He may be ousted but who could Renault find that is considered to be on par with Fisichella?

It does seem odd, though, that virtually all the bad luck at Renault has fallen on Fisichella's shoulders. True, Alonso wrecked in Montreal but that was due to a mistake he made, not the fault of the car. Fisichella has had severel mechanical failures this year. Has he become Renault's Rubens (for the record, since I am new here, I like both MS and Barrichello so I am not saying this because I am part of the anti-Ferrar crowd)?

[jock25]

Fisi has every right to be angry with the performances - his car has been totally unreliable. IMHO it is just another chapter in Briatore's suspect management style. Looking through his time as a team principle, there has also been a favoured driver and the #2 has been left to pick up the scraps. Flav is clearly sticking everything behind and Alonso and Fisi has to just get on with it.

If Fisi does leave I would suggest Webber is the most likely replacement given his connections with Briatore and the fact the big Aussie might be gettting a bit concerned about where Williams are heading if, as suspected, BMW set-up with Sauber. Having said that, I doubt Fisi would go. He must realise that if he doesn't make it work at Renault, there are not going to be any other top teams that will take a chance on him this late in his career.

[f1_carzy]

Whatever Renault say, it looks hugely improbable that whatever is happening with Fisi is only misfortune; and I think his reaction (would not even rate it as an outburst) was mild, compared to what other drivers would have done. Wonder how Alonso would have behaved if he were in Fisi's shoes?

Or it could be as simple as that Flavio's quote could have been taken out-of-context(however I doubt that)

[twig]

Originally Posted by f1_carzy

Whatever Renault say, it looks hugely improbable that whatever is happening with Fisi is only misfortune...

Are you trying to say that Renault are willing to create a car which is designed to break down for a certain driver?

[Raglanparade]

Id say Webber to Renault at the end of the season is the most likely option.

This frees up Fisichella to either to go Williams, BAR, Sauber or Possibly Ferrari.

I think Fisichella would choose Ferrari over all of them, as it is his dream, and Ferrari would be more then keen to choose him.

Flav knows Webber is losing some of his stock at Williams, so you may as well bring him in to a situation where he doesnt have the pressure of having to be number 1. IMHO, Webbers ability to be a solid (if not spectacular) racer and the ability to develop a car is something that Renault need, and also providing a stronger (and younger) back up to Alonso then Fisi.

[f1_carzy]

Originally Posted by twig

Are you trying to say that Renault are willing to create a car which is designed to break down for a certain driver?

No. All I am saying is that I feel Renault seem to be not doing much to fix issues on Fisi's car. I think it is a bit far-fetched that all issues come with Fisi's car, and whenever Alonso has a problem, he is still able to win races.

[f1_carzy]

Originally Posted by jasonhill9884

IMHO, Webbers ability to be a solid (if not spectacular) racer and the ability to develop a car is something that Renault need, and also providing a stronger (and younger) back up to Alonso then Fisi.

Forgive me if I may ask, when has Webber been known to be good at developing a car?

[BSchneiderFan]

When Renault had Fisichella leading Alonso at Montreal and Alonso wanted past, I did wonder if Flavio reached for the big red button on his control panel, when Fisi came trundling in with a sick car shortly afterwards...

It's turning into a nightmarish season for Fisi. His Melbourne win suggested that he was at last going to confound his doubters and prove himself a genuinely front-rank driver. But it's all gone horribly wrong since then. I wouldn't be surprised to see him despatched at the end of the season, perhaps in favour of Franck Montagny.

[Hazard]

Fisichella moving to Ferrari seems the most likely 'if he leaves Renault' scenario...perhaps even in a straight swap with Barrichello.

[f1_carzy]

Barrichello is too good for Fisi (no disrespect meant for Fisi); and in this moment of crisis at Ferrari, I dont think they would want Fisi to replace Rubens; maybe Massa or some other young-gun. The best bet for him might be at BAR.

[Inigo Montoya]

I think that Giancarlo has been saintly in his behaviour thus far, considering his "luck" at Renault. A reaction like this from Flavio only strengthens my view that Flavio cares only about his number one driver, who he happens to manage.

[Inigo Montoya]

By the way, I have not seen this on Gazzetta's site.

[jock25]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

I think that Giancarlo has been saintly in his behaviour thus far, considering his "luck" at Renault. A reaction like this from Flavio only strengthens my view that Flavio cares only about his number one driver, who he happens to manage.

Exactly...it has always been this way since Flav became a team principal.

With regards to the suggestions about some sort of conspiracy...while it might be far fetched, there might be some truth. It is quite conceivable that Renault are testing unproven parts on Fisi's car. That tends to be the way in other teams that publicly admit to having a clear #1 driver (consider in the past the way Schumi would be given Ruben's chassi if it proved to be faster during a race weekend).

The regular comments that have been attributed to Pat Symonds suggest that something is going on with Fisi's car...Symonds has been having to defend Fisi's ability as a driver pretty much ever since Melbourne.

[enemy-ace]

Paul Tracey (Champ Car) was recently interviewed on SPEED's WindTunnel program and commented on his test with Benneton earlier in his career. It was supposed to be a 4 day test but when he showed up Flav stuck a personal services contract in his face and told him he had to sign it before he got in the car. PT didn't sign and only managed to get in the car after a couple of days when Bernie stepped in. It would seem that Flav has a rather self-interested way of handling his drivers. You would think that this would be regarded as a rather large "conflict of interest". Good thing for Flav his teams get results.

[chunterer]

I remember reading something about the Tracy 'deal' as well.

I'd rather avoid complaining about Flavio because he has brought some cracking drivers into F1 die to his shrews eye for talent ( or is that business?!!!)

However i also think that since the Benetoon Schuey days there was all the effort focused on once car and the other was simply an entry. Schuey like that set up so much that he took it to ferrari with him! tee hee...

When Schuey was at Benetton loads people including the drivers couldn't believe how they were either off his pace consistently at a race weekend (depsite having him in testing) or their cars broke down, and some careers were efeectively ended over it.

You could suggest that a simialr situation is starting to develop at Renault, now that Flavio's got his new Schuey!

[chunterer]

Although i'd want to be very careful what i said obviously!