© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
Fernando Alonso comments on the possibility of joining Mercedes in 2025, and says “there are only three world champions on the grid, and there is only one available”.
Lewis Hamilton will be leaving Mercedes at the end of 2024, so the German team will no doubt be looking to find a suitable replacement throughout the year.
One of the names being mentioned in connection with Hamilton’s seat is two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who will become available when his current Aston Martin contract expires at the end of 2024.
At Aston Martin’s 2024 car launch, the Spanish driver said his “first priority” right now is to remain with the team.
“If I want to keep racing, let’s see what the options are,” Alonso said.
“My first priority will be always to sit down and discuss with Aston. They gave me the opportunity last year to join this organisation, which I’m very proud to be part of.
“With the new factory, with everything that is going on, there is a great future in this team. I want to explore every possibility to race for many years here.”
The Spaniard added he will definitely continue racing for at least a few more years.
“I love driving, I’ve been driving all over winter, different cars; a DTM car, car cross, rally car, go-karts. I love F1, but generally, I love driving.
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“So if it’s not F1, I will find myself happy in any other form of motorsport, and maybe having more time for my private life, which is also very important, at this age.
“But this is a decision that I need to do with myself, I need to think, and I need to commit to a team eventually, and make sure that I understand that the next few years of my life, it will be that team, and 100% of my time.
“Once I do that decision I want to sit with Aston Martin, and say, okay, I made this decision, and I would love to continue with this project.
“Because I think we did a good step forward in the last year. We built a lot of things together, we have this new facility here, we have everything to succeed for the future. I trust this project.
“So that will be my first priority when I say that I want to speak first with Aston Martin, because I feel part of this project very much.”
Alonso also said he believes he is attractive to other teams. .
“If we cannot reach an agreement, and I want to commit to race in F1, I know that I have a privileged position.
“I’m probably attractive to other teams, the performance that they saw last year, the commitment. There are only three world champions on the grid, and there is only one available.”
This July, the Spaniard will turn 43, however he does not believe this is an issue when it comes to his abilities.
“A few years ago, I would say that maybe 40 to 41 was the limit. Now, after I saw myself last year, motivated and performing well, I was thinking maybe that I can keep racing few more years.
“Now this winter, I’ve been exceeding a little bit the expectations in terms of all the physical tests and everything that I did.
“So I will say that if you are motivated, and if you want to commit, you can drive maybe until 48 or 49, or whatever, or even 50.
“But at the same time, you have to give up everything in life. F1 needs total dedication. This is my 24th season or whatever in F1. I gave my life for 24 years to this sport, which I’m happy… And I’m okay with that.
“I can keep doing it for few more years. But I don’t know if I will be racing until 50, with such a demanding calendar and things like that.
“Not for the abilities, but because there are other things in life that I’m curious [about],” Alonso concluded.
