Wolff: "Alonso an option if Rosberg doesn't renew"

  • Published on 17 May 2016 12:05
  • 5
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Toto Wolff says it is a "priority" to negotiate a new deal with championship leader Nico Rosberg. The German, whose seven-race winning streak ended in Barcelona, is reportedly out of contract at the end of the season.

But Dieter Zetsche, the chairman of Mercedes' carmaker parent Daimler, declared at Barcelona at the weekend that "Both drivers are under contract for the forthcoming season". In fact, that might not be quite true, with team boss Wolff indicating there is still some negotiating to do.

When asked about Fernando Alonso's recent claim that he almost switched to Mercedes at the beginning of last year, Wolff answered: "Fernando explored his options and one of them was Mercedes. He spoke to us, but we could not negotiate as we promised Lewis that while we tried to renew his (Hamilton) deal we would not talk with other drivers and we did not," Wolff told the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

"Fernando is one of the best drivers in history and I like his character, but our priority now is Nico. If he (Rosberg) does not want to renew, then we will consider other options, like Fernando. His (Alonso's) age is not a problem -- his speed and his motivation are still there," he added. (GMM)

Replies (5)

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  • RagingBull

    Posts: 11

    ze waren toch al vastgelegd voor komend seizoen??

    • + 0
    • May 17 2016 - 12:30
  • Wolfgang

    Posts: 313

    Ron is going crazy when Fernando doesn´t have a contract for next year..

    There is only one option: Rosberg and Merc are going to renew the contract. They WANT to have a good german driver, and Pascal is still too young..

    • + 0
    • May 17 2016 - 12:31
    • Yeah, there is really no other option.

      • + 0
      • May 17 2016 - 13:49
    • Who is to say Hamilton will still be around come year end? ;) Ego boy might not handle it well if Nico takes the title especially after Spanish GP. They don't need Alonso, there are other drivers ready to come to merc. I don't even have to name them. XD

      • + 0
      • May 17 2016 - 13:51
    • Rosberg will stay. Its his best chance for a good car next year.
      And indeed Wehrlein is not ready yet.

      • + 0
      • May 17 2016 - 19:34

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