Jul.12 (GMM) Fernando Alonso was “not ” in changing into Lewis Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes.
That’s the declare of crew boss Toto Wolff, who continues to be but to call George Russell’s teammate for 2025 as he waits for the unlikely state of affairs of Max Verstappen’s departure from Purple Bull.
Wolff’s personal 17-year-old protege Kimi Antonelli is the clear favorite to safe the seat, however the Mercedes chief admits he may need handed the position to F1 legend Alonso.
“After all we thought-about Fernando,” the Austrian informed Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo newspaper. “However at the moment, Fernando was not focused on driving for Mercedes. Furthermore, he was provided a long-term contract at Aston Martin.
“That’s how we perceived it on the time,” Wolff added.
Alonso, a two-time champion, signed his new Aston Martin deal in mid April.
“Fernando would have many extra titles if he had managed his profession otherwise,” Wolff, who took over at Mercedes in 2013, when Alonso was at Ferrari. “I don’t assume he might have signed for Mercedes after the McLaren episodes.
“Dieter Zetsche was at McLaren after which at Mercedes. In order that door was virtually closed.”
Nonetheless formally in the marketplace for 2025, in the meantime, is Purple Bull’s departing technical guru Adrian Newey, who’s most strongly linked with Ferrari and Aston Martin.
“I don’t know the place Adrian goes to work subsequent yr,” mentioned Wolff. “I’m not even certain he is aware of but.”
