Technical trouble is Alonso's last hope - Lauda

  • Published on 02 Nov 2012 16:08
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Fernando Alonso's last hope to rescue his flagging championship charge in 2012 is a spate of technical problems for Red Bull. That is the view of F1 great Niki Lauda, who told Germany's Sport1: "Alonso cannot stop Vettel, unless Vettel suddenly gets technical problems. "But with just his driving skills, Alonso can't stop him now, because Red Bull's progress has been too good."

Another weapon deployed by Spaniard Alonso in recent days, however, has been the 'psychological game'. When he said recently his title fight is actually not with Vettel but with Red Bull designer Adrian Newey, many interpreted that as an attack on his German rival. But Lauda insisted: "Every car needs a good driver. What good is Newey if the driver can't drive it?"

Indeed, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said criticism is just part of the game, particularly in light of Vettel's meteoric success over the past few years. "It is uncomfortable the success that Sebastian has had, and uncomfortable for some the success that Red Bull has had. That's not our fault," he insisted.

But Alonso has also been fending off an attack, after the Italian newspaper La Stampa claimed the Spaniard had a heated row with Ferrari's technical boss Pat Fry in India. "Normally, when you're in the fight for the title, it is the press of other countries that tries to destabilise you," Alonso told Spanish reporters on Thursday. "This time the destabilisation has come from Italy."

Vettel, however, said he has no intention of entering the fray. "I have no desire for psychological games," he is quoted by Bild newspaper. "We should concentrate on the driving instead." And, anyway, he said he respects Alonso. "Sometimes things are dragged out of context," Vettel insisted, "but the respect is there and that's what counts." (GMM)

Order your Formula 1 merchandise here!

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 588
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 180
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar