Fernando Alonso is one of the three world champion drivers currently available in Formula 1. The other two are obviously Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Moreover, if Sebastian Vettel had not announced an early retirement at the end of the 2022 season, then there would have been four champions available in the grid. But the German great decided to take an early retirement at 35. On the other hand, the two-time champion, Alonso, is still going strong at 42. Then, Hamilton, at the age of 39, decided to switch to Ferrari. The seven-time champion will don the iconic red uniform when he turns 40.
Moreover, this shocking announcement that Hamilton would leave Mercedes took the sport by storm. Since then, the Silver Arrows have been speaking with the two other champions currently available – Alonso and Verstappen. Both seemed to reach a point in 2024 where they could have signed with Toto Wolff’s team. But nothing really came to fruition. Quite understandably enough, Max Verstappen does not look like leaving Red Bull anytime soon. On the other hand, Fernando Alonso seems to extend his contract with Aston Martin till 2026.
But Why Did Fernando Alonso Not Make A Switch To Mercedes Or Red Bull?
It was last week when the Spaniard announced his contract extension with Aston Martin. But he had held talks with Red Bull Racing and Mercedes. However, why did nothing really materialize between the two parties? Recently, Ted Kravitz told Sky Sports that Fernando Alonso is happy to stay at Aston Martin after they had a pretty good 2023 season. Moreover, Kravitz believe neither Mercedes nor Red Bull made a firm offer to the two-time champion. In response, the 2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg agreed with Kravitz. The former Mercedes racer mentioned that he can agree with Kravitz because next to his house in Monaco, there is the cafe of Alonso’s manager, Flavio Briatore.
Moreover, Rosberg said Flavio and Toto spent a lot of time there discussing things. Also, the 2016 World Champion added, “Flavio takes 12 percent.” Anyhow, as per the new contract extension of Fernando Alonso, the Spaniard will drive Aston Martin cars till 2026. Nevertheless, the oldest racer in the sport right now did not rule out the possibility of racing in Formula One for even a longer time. Moreover, Fernando Alonso praised Aston Martin and the future possibilities of the factory team after a deal with Honda. Last year, Alonso had a great start with Aston Martin. He would like to have a better season with them in 2024.
Who’ll Replace Lewis Hamilton At Mercedes?
Initially, fans thought Toto Wolff would replace Hamilton with another champion. That’s why discussions with Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen came into the picture. Moreover, Wolff said he is open to the idea of welcoming Verstappen to the Silver Arrows. Even the Dutchman did not rule out the idea.
He said once that it was good to have some options. But then, it is highly unlikely that these champion drivers would sign with Mercedes as the team is really struggling with their car concept at present. Hence, the Mercedes prodigy, the Formula 2 racer, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is the most likely option to replace Hamilton next year.
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