Fernando Alonso has spoken for the first time about the possibility of replacing Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes and admitted that his contract situation makes him an “attractive” option.
Hamilton surprised the Formula One world when he announced on February 1 that he will be leaving the Silver Arrows to join the Italian outfit for the 2025 season.
The Briton's exit from Mercedes, where he won six of his seven world titles, means there will be a spot opening up to become George Russell's teammate at the end of this season.
And two-time champion Alonso's name was immediately linked with a move to replace Hamilton boosted by the fact he was one of the few top drivers whose 2025 contract was not signed and sealed.
The 42-year-old spent a fractious spell with the German manufacturer when he was teammates with Hamilton at McLaren-Mercedes in 2007.
But Alonso clearly feels he is in a strong negotiating position although he also insisted that his “first priority” will be speaking with current team Aston Martin about staying on.
“I am aware of my situation, which is very unique,” said Alonso at the launch of Aston Martin's 2024 car at Silverstone. “There are only three world champions on the grid [Alonso, Hamilton and Max Verstappen] and I am the only one available for 2025, so I am in a good position.
“On a move to Mercedes, there has been nothing at all. I know the driver market has started earlier this year, but this will not affect me in terms of preparing for the season.
“If I want to keep racing beyond this year, the first and only talk at the beginning will be Aston Martin. I trust this project and that will be my first priority.
“But if we cannot reach an agreement I know that I am attractive to other teams. I will not stay in Formula One just to have fun. I am not that kind of person and not that kind of driver. Let’s see what the options are.”
Alonso drove for the Italian team between 2010 and 2014 but fell short of winning the title and admitted Hamilton switch came out of the blue.
“It was a surprise, I will not lie, not because [of] the change itself but from the outside it seemed like he was very linked to Mercedes and very loyal to Mercedes.
“Ferrari is a special team but it is more special when you win. Maybe Lewis can bring that extra fight for the championship because the car is there.
“Even last year, with a very dominant Red Bull car, Ferrari were able to match the lap time and be faster than them in most of the qualifyings, so the car should be fast enough."
Alonso finished fourth in last year’s drivers’ championship with 206 points – behind only Red Bull duo Verstappen and Sergio Perez, plus Hamilton in third – as his Aston Martin transformed from also-rans to front-runners.
He scored six podiums in the opening eight rounds and might have ended his 10-year wait for victory had his team’s strategy been more on point at the rain-hit Monaco Grand Prix.
The team’s form fell away in the second half of the year but Alonso continued to outperform his machinery, taking further podiums in the Netherlands and Brazil.
He ended the year 132 points and six places ahead of teammate Lance Stroll – son of the team’s fashion billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll – and was voted third, behind Verstappen and Hamilton, by his fellow drivers and finished runner-up to the Dutchman in a poll of the grid’s team bosses.
Hamilton at Mercedes – in pictures
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Lewis Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013. Reuters -
Hamilton during practice for the Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang Circuit in Kuala Lumpar on March 22, 2013. Getty Images -
Hamilton celebrates after winning the World Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 23, 2014. Getty Images -
Hamilton gestures to fans during the drivers' parade before the 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Reuters -
Hamilton celebrates after winning the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 10, 2016. Getty Images -
Hamilton in the garage at Yas Marina Circuit during practice for the 2017 Abu Dhabi GP. Getty Images -
Hamilton after qualifying for the Bahrain GP at Bahrain International Circuit on April 7, 2018. Getty Images -
Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the Brazilian Grand Prix - alongside second-placed Red Bull driver Max Verstappen - at Jose Carlos Pace Circuit, Sao Paulo on November 14, 2021. Reuters -
Hamilton celebrates after winning the Chinese GP at Shanghai International Circuit on April 14, 2019. Getty Images -
Hamilton after winning the Turkish GP at Intercity Istanbul Park on November 15, 2020. Getty Image -
Hamilton celebrates on the podium with team principal Toto Wolff after winning the Turkish Grand Prix and the world championship on November 15, 2020. Reuters -
Hamilton before the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on April 10, 2022. Reuters -
Hamilton of Mercedes before the Australian GP at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on April 1, 2023. Getty Images -
Hamilton celebrates winning the F1 world title after the US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. Getty Images -
Right to left: Hamilton on the podium alongside Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto after the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix. Reuters -
Hamilton's Mercedes collides with Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing during the Italian GP at Monza. Getty Images -
Hamilton celebrates after winning the Bahrain GP in Sakhir on March 28, 2021. AP -
Hamilton after winning the 2021 Brazilian GP in Sao Paulo. AP -
Hamilton celebrates with his Mercedes teammates after winning the 2021 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi. Reuters -
Hamilton after winning the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 10, 2016. Reuters
