Thursday 1 January 2015

Wolff targets Alonso for Mercedes in 2016 should Hamilton decide to leave

(McLaren-Honda)

Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Executive Director (Business) Toto Wolff has stated the Brackley based outfit have targeted Fernando Alonso for a drive should they fail to extend their agreement with Lewis Hamilton.

The reigning world champion is out of contract with the 2014 Constructors champions at the end of 2015 and Wolff revealed that should a deal not be struck with Hamilton than Alonso would be the top alternative to partner Nico Rosberg in 2016. Wolff’s comments come despite the fact that Alonso has a long term agreement in place with McLaren Honda starting this season after leaving Scuderia Ferrari.

Wolff has stated that should the team fail to secure Alonso’s serves in 2016, then their next option would be signing Valtteri Bottas from Williams Martini Racing.

Speaking about what his team can expect this season, Wolff believes that the Williams Martini Racing Team will emerge as their main rivals however he also feels that Infiniti Red Bull Racing will return to form this season.

The Williams team were Mercedes closest challengers in the season finale in Abu Dhabi where Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas finished in second and third place behind champion Hamilton. The Grove based out had their best season in 2014 since 2003, the team finished in third place in the championship, 104 points ahead of Scuderia Ferrari.

© Ben Johnston 2015

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