F1 News: Fernando Alonso admits 'good position' in Lewis Hamilton Mercedes replacement battle

Fernando Alonso speaks angrily into a microphone as Lewis Hamilton looks on glumly — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Alonso admits 'good position' in Hamilton Mercedes replacement battle

The Spaniard is aware of his situation

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Tuesday 13 February 2024 09:57

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Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso has said that he is 'aware' of his situation that makes him a prime candidate to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

The 42-year-old is out of contract with the Silverstone-based team at the end of the upcoming season, perfectly tying in with Hamilton's shock move to Ferrari from 2025.

Despite his age, Alonso is coming off the back of what he described as his 'best season ever' in 2023, and the two-time world champion is largely perceived to still be one of the best drivers on the Formula 1 grid.

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While Alonso's future in the sport isn't guaranteed past 2024, he has reiterated in recent times that he would like to sign another F1 contract, wherever that may be, having come out of retirement in 2021.

Mercedes are weighing up a multitude of options for their vacant seat post-2024

Toto Wolff was left stunned by Hamilton's decision to move to Ferrari

Fernando Alonso achieved great success in his first season with Aston Martin

Alonso's Mercedes rumours

Now, Alonso has admitted why he may be seen as a frontrunner in the race to replace Hamilton, with the Brackley-based team looking at a huge multitude of options post-2024.

"I am aware of my situation, which is unique," he said during the Aston Martin season launch.

“There are only three world champions on the grid, and fast world champions, because in the past maybe there were some champions who maybe weren't so committed to being fast. And I'm probably the only one available for 2025. So I'm in a good position.

“But at the same time, when I decide whether I want to continue racing in the future, the first and only conversation I'll have at the start will be with Aston Martin. This will be my only priority."

Fellow Spaniard Carlos Sainz is being displaced as part of Hamilton's mega-money Ferrari move, and is naturally also seen as a frontrunner for the vacant Mercedes seat.

Both Daniel Ricciardo and youngster Andrea Kimi Antonelli have also been tipped to become George Russell's team-mate from 2025.