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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)
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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Replies (5)
Login to replyRagingBull
Posts: 11
ze waren toch al vastgelegd voor komend seizoen??
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..
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yeah, there is really no other option.
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
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
FerrariRules
Posts: 3,068
Rosberg will stay. Its his best chance for a good car next year.
And indeed Wehrlein is not ready yet.