If staying put is the best policy should Alonso have stayed at Minardi? Alomost every driver has had to move around to get a good seat.

McLaren has a history of success with drivers who have gone there after driving for other teams near the front of the grid. Lauda after his short retirement. Prost after Renault fired him albeit he originally made his debut with McLaren. Senna had won races at Lotus.

As poker players say. You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know ehen to fold ‘em, know when to walk awa and know when to run. Button should have runa away from Honda three years ago because they are going nowhere.

For F1 drivers, the grass is always greener for a simple and logical reason. To be an F1 driver, you have to believe that you’re the best – so anyone who beats you must have an unfair advantage. Usually that is put down to the car and so you want a better car to prove that you were beaten by superior technology, not greater skill.

Thus, if you’re in a Force India, you leap at the chance to drive a Toro Rosso; if in last year’s Renault, you quite fancy your chances in a McLaren. It’s at the top that it becomes a bit of a gamble – as someone mentioned, everyone (except me) thought Alonso was mad to leave Renault for McLaren when he did. But it turned out to be a pretty good decision (disregarding personality clashes). When the competition is that fierce between teams, you weigh the odds and make your bet (if you have the choice). Get lucky and you look like a genius; get it wrong and everyone says, “I told you so”.

To steer it back to racing though, I’ll bring up Schumacher’s ten year tenure at Ferrari, resulting in five driver titles and six constructors. The first car he drove in 1996 was diabolical. Truly, a very bad car. But nine seasons later he retired one of the world’s most successful sportsman. Swings and roundabouts.

@Craig: The 0.6s thing just makes me chuckle. If that is the case (and like you I think he was mis-interpreted), the grass will always be greener for him no matter who he drove for.

Had Alonso not been “returning home” to Renault and signed instead for Red Bull or some other team, I would imagine that his first few tests with the new team would have been quite tense. His engineers would no doubt have been expecting the 0.6 seconds he is claimed to have said he is able to bring to a team (I’ve a feeling he was probably misquoted or taken out of context personally), but I dare say Renault will go easier on him if he doesn’t quite live up to that.

I don’t think anyone can blame him for moving to McLaren, at the time I seem to recall everyone thought it was a good piece of business on both sides – funny how things can change though!

As for Button, he made a stupid mistake with Williams and it was only right that he was made to pay for it – literally!

Agreed, it is so much easier to lust after something someone else has than to appreciate what you have yourself.

You still need a Mac. ;P Good point bringing up the Alonso situation.

@Milos: Good point about the money that had to be paid, it is understood it came from Jenson’s own pocket as well. Justly deserved in my mind for having caused the nightmare in the first place.

I think Alonso’s move, at the time, was definitely greener for him. In fact, it still is to a degree; he got to fight for the championship down to the wire. Renault were a different kettle of fish last year. But ultimately, was it a good decision? We will never know, but I would like to think that he could have gone to the wire in a R27, although it would have been difficult, perhaps more-so than in a McLaren.

Do you think Alonso turned up at Renault on January 1st and said “bloomin’ ‘eck, I leave you alone for a year and look what happens!”

He got his 1st win in 2006 (worth the money probably) and then the car was greener in 2007 (not worth the money)

In Alonso’s case (Renault to McLaren move) it was hardly a move to a greener grass. At the time the deal was announced McLaren was nowhere near Renault and it actually looked like a step back for Alonso, as it looks now when he moves in the opposite direction.

I assume it’s the same for the F1 guys come contract renewal time, every other team will make amazing promises on performance then it’s up to the driver to decide who can actually deliver.

Both Jenson, and Alonso to a certain extent, seem to have been the biggest culprits of making (or trying to make) the switch between teams which have gone spectacularly wrong.

At least Alonso was actually free to join his new team, I’ve a feeling Jenson will forever be remembered for his contract fiascos!