Alonso signs three-year BMW deal – report
09/15/08 (GMM) A spokesman for the Spanish arm of the German manufacturer BMW has admitted that Fernando Alonso is in talks to switch to the BMW-Sauber F1 team in 2009.
Figures in the Monza paddock over the weekend were careful to play down or sidestep the raging speculation about the Spaniard's future.
But Gigi Corbetta, communication director for BMW Spain, told Spanish radio that talks are taking place.
"And the news of the renewal of Raikkonen (at Ferrari) has accelerated the process," Corbetta is quoted as saying by the Spanish newspaper Marca.
"Now it is necessary to wait until the end of the season."
27-year-old Alonso, meanwhile, confirmed that his future is not due to be clarified before the Singapore grand prix in two weeks.
09/14/08 BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen said that they are waiting on Fernando Alonso for the 2009 season. These are his comments.
"There are several people and a few teams who have to make a decision – it is just not necessarily a joint decision,"
"We are still evaluating the situation and it is apparent we are the strongest team now which has an open seat for next year, so we will see what happens."
Theissen expressed that the Raikkonen contract news had very little impact on his decision, "one piece in a big jigsaw, nothing more."
09/13/08 (GMM) The Italian grand prix weekend has so far done little to reveal more about the 2009 plans of BMW-Sauber.
The German team's driver lineup for next year is still unclear, with Robert Kubica often openly critical, and Nick Heidfeld struggling to return to top form.
And even though it was recently suggested that Kubica has re-signed for 2009, the 23-year-old Pole would not confirm that at Monza on Saturday.
"Discussions are taking place," he said. "As long as a contract is not signed, I cannot say anything. We will see. From my side I do not see any hurry."
Asked whether he is in talks with any other teams, Kubica added: "Perhaps, perhaps not."
Heidfeld, meanwhile, denied that confirmation of Ferrari's plans for 2009 changes his situation at all.
"Nothing has really changed," the German said, when asked how Kimi Raikkonen's renewed stay at Maranello might affect him.
"The situation was already pretty clear. It was announced yesterday but I would say (Ferrari's plans were) already quite well known," Heidfeld added.
09/11/08 (GMM) Fernando Alonso on Thursday did little to ease the flames of speculation that he may be joining BMW-Sauber next year.
Asked by reporters at Monza if he would enjoy being Robert Kubica's teammate, the former double world champion replied: "Robert and I drove together in karts. He is a very good friend of mine."
So can the Spaniard see himself sharing a formula one team with the 23-year-old Pole? "Why not?" he smiled, according to the German news agency SID.
But Alonso, 27, was not giving away any other clues about his possible move from Renault.
"I will decide in the next weeks, possibly in September, what I am going to do," he said.
09/10/08 (GMM) BMW-Sauber boss Mario Theissen has refused to comment on intensifying speculation that Fernando Alonso has signed a three-year contract to begin driving for the team in 2009.
Shortly after the checkered flag at Spa-Francorchamps, it was reported that the Spaniard would replace Nick Heidfeld to race alongside his friend Robert Kubica from next year.
"I do not take part in speculation," Theissen told the German newspaper Bild.
"Our driver decision has been postponed. At the latest we will announce our drivers at the end of the season."
A BMW spokesman also would not comment.
The Spanish sports newspaper Marca believes BMW will confirm the Alonso news on the Monday after this weekend's Italian grand prix at Monza.
09/09/08 The paddock is buzzing with rumors about possible driver swaps. According to gossip, Fernando Alonso and Nick Heidfeld will switch teams in 2009. Alonso would take over Heidfeld's race seat at BMW next season while the German will move in the opposite direction to Renault. Fernando Alonso still denies the rumors. The Spaniard declared to 'Auto Motor und Sport': "For weeks I have said I will only consider my future at the end of September. My priority at the moment is to help Renault to fourth place in the constructors' championship."
09/07/08 (GMM) In the buzz of the post-race paddock at Spa-Francorchamps, it was rumored and reported that former double world champion Fernando Alonso will switch from Renault to BMW-Sauber for the 2009 season and beyond.
The information was transmitted from the Belgian venue by the Italian television channel Sky, who said the Spaniard's contract could be for a three-year period.
The rumor comes just one day after Honda boss Ross Brawn admitted he is also waiting on the 27-year-old's decision, and ongoing speculation that Alonso wants to use his team for next year only as a springboard to a Ferrari seat perhaps in 2010.
Alonso would not be drawn on the reports.
"For weeks I have said I will only consider my future at the end of September. My priority at the moment is to help Renault to fourth place in the constructors' championship," he is quoted as saying by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.