Alonso on Mercedes' radar

Pascal Wehrlein has been tipped to replace the German as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate for next year, but McLaren driver Alonso is among a host of others to have been mentioned as possible candidates to take the seat.

Published : Dec 06, 2016 20:57 IST

"You have to consider Fernando," Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said.
"You have to consider Fernando," Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said.
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"You have to consider Fernando," Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said.

Toto Wolff said Fernando Alonso is in Mercedes' thoughts as they consider who will fill the void left by Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg's retirement.

Rosberg last week sensationally quit the sport at the age of 31, just five days after he claimed the drivers' title for the first time.

Pascal Wehrlein has been tipped to replace the German as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate for next year, but McLaren driver Alonso is among a host of others to have been mentioned as possible candidates to take the seat.

Mercedes team boss Wolff stated that the two-time world champion ticks all the right boxes, but knows it may be difficult to recruit the Spaniard.

"You have to consider Fernando," Wolff told Sky Sports.

"He is a driver I respect a lot. He combines talent, speed and experience. It's all there.

"But he is in a contract with McLaren-Honda at the moment and we just need to weigh all the other options up."

Alonso and Hamilton had a tempestuous relationship when together at McLaren in 2007, but Wolff ruled out bringing in a driver who would play second fiddle to the Brit.

He added: "We will maintain the system we have. Both drivers will have equal status and equal opportunity to the best of our abilities.

"We owe it to the fans. You can't have a pecking order."

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