Fernando Alonso is currently the top candidate to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year. However, Aston Martin is eager to renew the contract with the two-time world champion for another season.
The recent move to Ferrari has caused a stir in the F1 driver market for the 2025 season. Several drivers are vying for a spot at Mercedes next season. Among them, Fernando Alonso is one of the top contenders for the German manufacturer. However, Aston Martin is not willing to let go of the two-time world champion so easily.
The Aston Martin ambassador expressed the team’s strong desire to persuade Alonso to stay. The former F1 driver stated that the 42-year-old driver feels “comfortable” at Silverstone and appreciates the team’s excellent work. Additionally, de la Rosa emphasized the importance of having the Asturian driver at Silverstone and assured that the team would provide him with more reasons to stay.
Furthermore, de la Rosa made it clear that Aston Martin never considered removing Fernando Alonso from the team. The 42-year-old driver was Silverstone’s Plan A, B, and even Plan C, highlighting his immense value to the team. The ambassador also stressed that a strong performance from the team’s car is the most crucial factor in convincing Alonso to extend his stay beyond 2024.
The team principal echoed Pedro de la Rosa’s sentiments regarding Fernando Alonso’s importance to the team. Krack acknowledged that Aston Martin needs to offer more to attract the two-time world champion to stay. However, he also recognized that if the 42-year-old driver can compete in the midfield, it would already be a significant step for Silverstone.
Furthermore, Krack ensured that the team will continue to introduce new parts throughout the season to improve the performance of the former world champion’s car. The Silverstone-based team aims to keep Alonso satisfied and motivated, with the ultimate goal of keeping him for an extended period.
Aston Martin is currently engaged in a fierce battle with Mercedes for fifth place in the constructors’ championship. Additionally, Alonso mentioned that he was not attracted to Mercedes due to the team’s inferior performance. Therefore, it is likely that the 42-year-old driver will stay with the team even after the end of his contract, if better opportunities are not presented elsewhere.