Hamilton could be powerless to stop Mercedes signing Alonso - Report

Fernando Alonso could join Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2019, whether the reigning drivers' champion likes it or not, according to reports in Spain. Alonso's McLaren future has been thrown into fresh doubt by the team's sluggish start to the season, which has arguably been masked by Alonso's superb performances.

Alonso is one of only three drivers to score points at all four races this season, alongside title rivals Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, despite McLaren's struggle to incorporate the Renault power unit preventing them from qualifying in the top 10.

He secured seventh place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite suffering damage that sporting director Eric Boullier admitted had been expected to force his retirement.

However, McLaren's failure to give him a race-winning car could prompt Alonso's departure, with his salary also causing problems for the team after losing financial backing from Honda and their ongoing struggle to attract sponsors.

Read more: Why Alonso's Baku's drive was one of the greatest

Both Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas are on deals at Mercedes that expire at the end of the season, although the Briton says he remains committed to penning a fresh contract - Mercedes say the delay is down to their on-track struggles.

And if those struggles cost Hamilton the title, Diario Gol report that the current champion will lose his right to veto any potential new team-mates, paving the way for Alonso to sign for the Silver Arrows.

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 another split now seems likely.

According to Diario Gol, Alonso is also of interest to Renault, with whom he won back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006, as well as Haas, who could lose Romain Grosjean to Ferrari if Kimi Raikkonen departs.