Since February 1st the driver market scenario has drastically changed. Lewis Hamilton has made his move to Ferrari official from 2025, freeing up his seat in Mercedes. A position that many would like to occupy. Precisely for this reason every detail such as a meeting, even if casual, is taken as an important clue to the fate of the Brackley team. As, a recent meeting, apparently informal, in a pastry shop in Monte Carlo between Flavio Briatore, Fernando Alonso's historic manager, and Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, has aroused the interest of the media and press turning into a negotiation. Fernando Alonso is one of the drivers most interested in filling the role of Lewis Hamilton's replacement in Mercedes. The Spanish driver currently has a contract with Aston Martin - who presented the AMR24, which however will expire at the end of 2024.
Alonso, an interesting name for Mercedes looking for Hamilton's replacement
Fernando with his experience and his hunger for victory could be an interesting solution for the German team. The timing of the meeting between Briatore and Wolff therefore suggests the Austrian team principal's assessment of his arrival at Mercedes. An evaluation that puts various questions on the table such as age and the duration of the contract. Mercedes has candidly admitted that the process of returning to title contention will not be quick. And with Aston Martin Alonso achieved 8 podiums last season. What would push him to go to Mercedes? Furthermore, Mercedes has a series of options to evaluate and would be unlikely to offer Fernando a two-year deal.
A '1+1' contractual solution, therefore with an option that would free Mercedes from a normal two-year contract, could be a strategy to guarantee flexibility for the team and to entice Fernando. It goes without saying that 2024 will be decisive, both for Mercedes and Aston Martin.
A busy market
On the table is not only the fate of Fernando but of many other drivers. In fact, every seat movement generates others and considering that almost half the grid has a contract expiring in 2024, the attention on the ongoing negotiations is high. Carlos Sainz he is the first driver at the moment who finds himself without a seat in 2025. His is the hottest name on the market. But it is also true that now he has no alternatives. If Mercedes were to opt for Fernando at least for a year, Sainz could appear at the door of Aston Martin awaiting the arrival of Audi in 2026.
Furthermore, Toto Wolff must not only think about the imminent future of Mercedes but about the long term. Keeping Fernando a year or even two could give him ad Andrea Kimi Antonelli the time to train in the minor categories and then move on to the main category.
Source: Motorsport.com
