Timo Glock feels it would be ‘crazy’ if Mercedes signed Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso to replace Lewis Hamilton once the seven-time F1 champion heads to Ferrari.
The Silver Arrows are searching for a new driver after Hamilton shocked the Formula 1 world. Mercedes only gave the 39-year-old a new contract for the 2024 and 2025 terms in August. But he has triggered an escape clause to depart after 2024 and replace Carlos Sainz in red.
Mercedes might have lots of drivers to choose from when team principal Toto Wolff decides who will partner George Russell. Around half of the 2024 grid is out of contract at the end of this year. Sainz and Aston Martin star Alonso are two drivers who can freely switch teams.
Mercedes are interested in Fernando Alonso replacing Lewis Hamilton
Alonso joined Aston Martin in 2023 on a two-year contract following a two-year stint back in Enstone at Alpine. The 42-year-old even enjoyed what he described as a ‘dream’ season in 2023. He enjoyed eight podium finishes over 22 Grand Prix, including six from the first eight.
The Spaniard’s podium haul was larger than he took over Alonso’s previous seven seasons in Formula 1 combined. Not since he fought Sebastian Vettel over the 2013 F1 title with Ferrari had Alonso had as many in one year. Alonso won his F1 titles in 2005 and 2006 with Renault.
Timo Glock thinks Fernando Alonso at Mercedes may be ‘perfect’
Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025 could also now open a door for Alonso to quit Aston Martin and move to Brackley. BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer Andrew Benson reports as ‘a fact’ that Alonso is ‘on the list’ at Mercedes. And Glock believes it may be a ‘perfect’ pairing.
Glock told Sky Germany: “When it comes to succeeding Hamilton, Toto Wolff has to make a decision in order to get the most out of the team. I then need an experienced driver in this situation who I can rely on blindly. Fernando Alonso in a Mercedes would be crazy.
“Alonso could, of course, be the perfect exchange if he only wants to drive for another year or two. But that’s it for in a top team. Then he could possibly end his career on a high. But, with Alonso, I could also imagine that he wants to drive until he is 47, 48 or 49 years old.”
Fernando Alonso admits he could retire from F1 after 2024
Alonso ranks seventh in Formula 1’s all-time table for Grand Prix wins with 32. Hamilton is in first place with a record haul of 103, of which he won 82 for Mercedes. Alonso and Hamilton also rank 15th (22) and first (104) for poles plus fifth (106) and first (197) for podiums so far.
But while Mercedes are interested in Alonso possibly replacing Hamilton in 2025, they might have to look elsewhere. Two seasons with Aston Martin could mark the end of his Formula 1 career. Alonso has admitted at the 2024 Bahrain GP that he might retire after this campaign.
“First of all, I need to decide if I want to continue driving,” Alonso said, via quotes by Marca. “That will be the first thing I need to decide and I think it will be in a few weeks. I feel very good now but it will be a very demanding calendar with 24 races.
“There are new regulations [coming in 2026], which maybe are a temptation or maybe not. I don’t know. But as I said at the launch of the car, I’m going to wait a couple of months.”
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