Toto Wolff recently revealed that Mercedes approached Fernando Alonso after learning in early February that Lewis Hamilton would be moving to Ferrari in 2025. Wolff was interested in seeing if Alonso would be willing to replace the seven-time world champion. However, the Spanish driver politely declined the offer, choosing to extend his contract with Aston Martin instead.
Mercedes Still Searching for a New Driver
Mercedes is still without a driver for the upcoming year. George Russell has a contract until 2025, but his partner is yet to be determined. Toto Wolff is still trying to persuade Max Verstappen to join the team in Brackley, although the chances of the Dutch driver making a transfer next year are slim. Fernando Alonso was also on Mercedes’ radar for a while, but the two-time world champion was not interested in signing a contract with the Germans.
Top 5 All-Time Racers
Toto Wolff revealed in a conversation with the Spanish Mundo Deportivo that Mercedes considered offering Alonso a contract at the beginning of the season. However, the 42-year-old driver kindly declined. “At that time, he had no interest in driving for us,” Wolff explained. “After all, Aston Martin offered him a long-term contract.” It sounds as if the Spanish veteran would have received a one-year contract at Mercedes – probably to hold the seat for the young Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Alonso has since signed with the green racing team and the rest is history.
Toto Wolff has Fernando Alonso on his list of the very best drivers, alongside Schumacher, Hamilton, Senna, and Fangio. He shares this ranking with Max Verstappen. Despite there being drivers with more titles, Wolff believes that Alonso belongs in this list. “Alonso would have won many more championships if he had managed his career better,” said the Mercedes’ team boss.
