6
Championship leader Nico Rosberg is fast becoming a key to the 2017 'silly season'. In Barcelona, Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche announced that the on-form German is in fact "under contract" for next year.
But that might not quite be true, as Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff declared on Monday that Fernando Alonso might be a target for the future.
"Fernando is one of the best drivers in history and I like his character, but our priority now is Nico," he told El Mundo.
"If he (Rosberg) does not want to renew, then we will consider other options, like Fernando," Wolff added.
Now, Italy's Corriere della Sera is reporting that talks between Ferrari and Rosberg, the winner of seven consecutive grands prix until last Sunday, have begun.
Correspondent Giorgio Terruzzi said Ferrari's new interest in Rosberg is powered by moves at other top teams to spice up their respective drivers' lineups.
Red Bull has Max Verstappen, McLaren will reportedly sign up Stoffel Vandoorne for 2017, and so officials at Ferrari believe "36-year-old Kimi, though well-liked by most in the team, is considered too inconsistent".
"On the contrary, it seems Rosberg in his full maturity is always fast, strengthened by his difficult experience at Hamilton's side."
Terruzzi also said Mercedes "would be weakened by his (Rosberg's) departure, especially if he wins the title in 2016".
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
973 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (6)
Login to replyHepp
Posts: 200
Balderdash. Don't let the whole truth get in the way of a good story or media circus. Nico number 2 to Seb, no way. Alonso number 2 to Lulu, NO Way. Button would leave too. Ridiculous speculation.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Corriere della Serra tend to be an incredibly gossip-heavy magazine, so I have little faith in what they say.
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
In other news, apophis will hit earth on 2036 April the 13th, a Friday..
Wolfgang
Posts: 313
i also think this is complete rubbish. Rosberg is going to be longer there than anyone else.
If there is room at McLaren Lewis will go back, so i think Lewis is the one that leaves Mercedes first..
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I honestly do not see him going back there, Dennis has said that he is not interested. Same goes for Ferrari, so HamHam might have a hard time finding a team if Merc' decide to kick him.
Vet5
Posts: 225
Lewis will not be welcomed back to McLaren, Ron Dennis has really made this clear in his interviews last year. Alonso won't leave McLaren in 2017 due to the rule changes to make the cars quicker, seeing as it was McLaren that created the rules and brought them forward to the FIA/FOM. Mercedes have a good car due to the engine and some aero developments, but they as a company have to focus on both aero and engine development, McLaren and RedBull are both a chassis designer so 2017 will shine upon the 2 teams. Rosberg will be staying with Merc for the foreseeable future, Hamilton will leave in 2019 and retire, maybe even earlier. I even dare say that Button will be either kept at McLaren or better yet move to Williams! would be an amazing life story, end where it all started!