Its a Conspiracy cries Jarno!!!

[Kicking-back]

Yes, but that was through no fault of his own, Boots.

That was down to his height.

[Cadete]

IMO, I can't see any member of a team intentionally slowing one of their drivers. The team is there to win, and in order for that to happen, they want to give their drivers the best they have.
What can happen is that in case you don't have enough of the best equipment for both drivers, you will give the little that you have to the driver who you think has more chances, but if you have enough good equipment for both, why take the chances of ending up losing points?

If there are people there slowing their drivers, resulting in the team getting less points and just for personal gain, their sense of sportsmanship is really weird...

[grumpy1]

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
Alonso's staying because he's a Flavio-contracted driver. He'd only go if he lost form to the point that Flavio wanted Webber in the car.

Flavio's priority isn't the Rneault team, it's his own wallet. If he feels he can do more for that by helping his driver at the expense of Renault's driver, he'll do it.

Thats the reason Webbers at Williams next year.Old Falvio made a suitcase full of cash out of that deal.

The Grumpy1

[Gt_R]

Flavio's more of a businessman than an F1 team boss..

And as much as it isn't nice to hear such allegations, recent history showed that it isn't impossible. Wurz's poor treatment is a very good example..he's being withheld a new developed car, made to drive the old one and came out looking bad. And he voiced it out too.

Jarno would unlikely make such accusations without any basis for doubt. As a driver he would have a fairly good idea than us what's going on within the team, even if the team don't want to let him know. And bearing in mind he risks hurting his relationship with friends within Renault and Alonso, he must have genuinely felt that way.

Which, if true, is very unfortunate.

[muzza4ever]

Yeah I'm not so sure it's good for the sport to have a team principal that is also a manager of drivers. Surely there comes a time when there's a conflict of interest.

My understanding of the situation (and I could be wrong here) is that despite Jarno's improved form this year he isn't being re-signed because he refused to take up another contract with Flav as his manager. Something about Flav's hgh percentage take.

[RWC]

Originally posted by Cadete
IMO, I can't see any member of a team intentionally slowing one of their drivers.

You should read what others have just said

[climb]

well spotted m4e!

There is a clear conflict of interest, and Falv is not that kind of a candid boarder.
He would have no problem to do what Trulli suspects, particularly considering that Pat Symonds is not fond of Jarno, and surely was upset when the italian won at Monaco.

Up to midseason Jarno has utterly outperformed Alonso, and whereas I'm happy tha Spaniard has significantly improved, it's hard to believe that Trulli has become a dog all of a sudden.

[spider]

Couldn't agree more Climb. Shame for Jarno, as Toyota have announced they haven't decided on their 2nd driver for 2005. I hope Jarno goes to Toyota, but no doubt Renault will make his life difficult by giving him less-than new parts from now until seasons-end...

[RWC]

What's got me wondering is why alonso,who so easily competed with Jarno last year,could suddenly be so far behind him at the start of this year??
In other words: what did he do that flav took away his 'better' car ? LOL

I think flabio is running out of drivers to pick on-he tries to punnish one and the other goes great


On the subject of flav's conflict of interest...it must be going on with the full blessing of renault.Or maybe they tollerate flav because he does bring good drivers to the team occasionally

[Glen]

Alonso would be ahead on performance alone, but he made quite a few mistakes early season. When one factors-in the expectation that these silly mistakes and inconsistencies will presumably reduce over time I think it is pretty clear that Alonso is the quicker driver with the better potential.

As for the thread subject - I find it hard to believe.

[muzza4ever]

RWC on the conflict of interest I meant from the point of view of the sport in general - one person having so many drivers in his "portfolio" who then also has another role as a team principal.

I'm not wawre of any of the other team principals acting as personal managers to any drivers as well. Can you imagine the negotiations! A personal manager asking himself for an improved pay deal for his driver - just doesn't make sense.

[1200Datto27]

Craig Pollock was another, who also (alledgedly) paid himself a nice signing bonus from BAR for signing JV, and then claimed his cut and a signing bonus from JV's contract, on top of his handsome salary from BAR, I think that that is what is know as having your cake and eating it too.

[muzza4ever]

I forgot about Mr Pollock!

IMO I just don't think it helps the image of a sport that has Bernie at the helm!

[N I Tram]

I find the whole conflict of interest quite disturbing really. Trulli's sudden loss of form is bad news for Renault, as he was driving more consistantly than Fernando. As mentioned, it's not the first time a driver leaving Renault has mysteriously lost form, and I can't dismiss it as coincidence.