Report: Mercedes eyeing Alonso swoop

Fernando Alonso is in line to reunite with Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2019, according to reports in Spain, as the Silver Arrows try to eke better performances out of the four-time world champion. Valtteri Bottas' contract with the constructors' champions expires at the end of the season.

Although Hamilton is yet to sign a new deal, with his existing contract also up at the end of the year, the team remain confident he will remain in place.

Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda said this week: "It's just about the details. Lewis will continue to drive for us. The money is not a problem. We agree in principle."

Diario Gol has reported that the Silver Arrows may be plotting an all-world champion line-up next season, with Alonso set to swap McLaren for Mercedes.

The Spaniard was Hamilton's team-mate in his first Formula 1 campaign in 2007.

Their relationship was infamously fractious, with Alonso at the time furious that McLaren appeared to favour the prodigious Hamilton over him.

Alonso soothed tensions with McLaren enough to return in 2015, but all has not been plain sailing since then.

The relationship with Honda was a disaster and fifth place was the best Alonso could muster in three seasons.

He has already matched that this year with McLaren now propelled by Renault, but issues with one-lap pace remain.

Although the 36-year-old has scored points at all three races, he is yet to reach Q3 on any Saturday this season.

Hamilton, too, has suffered with his form. Yet to win a race, Hamilton's results have gradually gotten worse, having finished second in the season-opener in Australia and coming home fourth in China last time out.

Diario Gol claim that the signing of Alonso could be used to inspire greater performances out of Hamilton.

Ferrari currently employ two world champions in Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. Despite the Iceman's impressive start to the season, which has seen him secure to podium finishes, his future at Maranello beyond the end of the year is also uncertain.

Daniel Ricciardo shapes as being a key player in the driver market - he too is a free agent for 2019 - although the Red Bull star has indicated he will commit to his current employers if they can replicate their Chinese Grand Prix success enough times this season.

Next up on the F1 calendar is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which Ricciardo won last year.