Fernando Alonso is reportedly eyeing a move to Mercedes for 2025, following the news that Lewis Hamilton will exit the team. After over a decade with Mercedes—a period where he dominated the sport with six world championships—Hamilton's departure has left fans speculating and suggesting various candidates to replace him.
Fernando Alonso, an Aston Martin F1 driver, has reportedly expressed ‘great interest’ in replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2025 season. The seven-time world champion will quit the German team at the end of the 2024 season, having spent 12 years with them, winning six of his seven world titles between 2014 and 2020. Since the announcement, fans have expressed significant interest in submitting their suggestions for the Mercedes F1 driver’s replacement.
According to sources within the paddock, Alonso has been proactive in expressing his interest in taking over the seat. The 42-year-old is well-known for taking risks during the 'silly season,' as seen when he switched to Aston Martin in 2023. Since his agreement with the Silverstone-based team wraps up at the end of 2024, he is looking for one last shot at a top-tier championship contender before retiring.
Speaking with Sky F1, Jenson Button voiced his support for Alonso joining Mercedes. Button noted that despite being 42, Alonso possesses an unmatched hunger and peak physical condition, citing his constant karting and racing habits. Button believes that pairing Alonso with the team would create a fascinating dynamic where both sides could learn from each other.
David Coulthard also weighed in, favoring Alonso over Sebastian Vettel for the vacant spot. Coulthard argued that Alonso is more 'race-ready' and possesses a deeper technical understanding of current power units thanks to his time at Aston Martin. He pointed out that while Vettel had his struggles, Alonso has shown a more dominant, 'gladiatorial' edge, particularly in how he handles teammates like Lance Stroll. For Coulthard, Alonso is the clear choice for Mercedes.
With a full year to evaluate their options, it remains to be seen who Mercedes will ultimately select to follow in the footsteps of the seven-time champion for the 2025 grid.