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Toto Wolff says it was mainly a contractual issue that halted negotiations between Mercedes and Fernando Alonso ahead of the 2017 season. With McLaren-Honda now deep in crisis, but Alonso dropping strong hints that he wants to race on beyond his expiring deal, Mercedes chief Wolff earlier said it was a clash of personalities that made hiring Alonso less attractive.
"You have to see the team as a whole, with its dynamics, and that played its part," he now tells the Spanish broadcaster Movistar. But Wolff said the biggest issue with the talks between Mercedes and Alonso about the 35-year-old replacing Nico Rosberg this year was purely contractual.
"For me, Fernando is a great driver and a very important person for formula one," he said. "And yes, we had talks with him, but he is tied to McLaren with his contract and we respect that, so the negotiation did not prosper," added Wolff. "That was the situation -- you have to respect the contracts," he insisted.
Wolff says he sympathises with Alonso now that the extent of McLaren-Honda's problems this year are clear. "It is certainly not an easy situation for him, because McLaren is a great team and Honda a great engine manufacturer, but for some reason it hasn't worked yet. For Fernando, not being able to fight for victories would not be easy. But we also miss McLaren -- it's an important brand for formula one, with great performances throughout history," he added. (GMM)
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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Replies (4)
Login to replymclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Trololo Wolff playing good cop while Lauda plays bad cop, two a-holes. If he really wanted Alonso merc could just pay off Mclaren, the new Mclaren is nothing like the old team, it is just a shell. The current team will accept the payment let Alonso go for someone fresh and younger no problem. Mercedes are not serious they have butthurt boy's ego to take care of. If Mercedes was serious they would let the turdboy implode and then leave Mercedes. Pair Alonso up with whoever else they like while they are at it.
Vet5
Posts: 225
Hear no evil, see no evil is what comes to mind when thinking about Wolff & Lauda
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I honestly dont think they truly considered hiring Alonso over Bottas. Im sure Hamilton would do all in his power to stop such a move.
Wolfgang
Posts: 313
Jup. It´s exactly identical to my opinion/impressions.. Hamilton isn´t as quick as he might think he is. Let´s wait for Bottas finding the next 2/3tenths and he´s going to be in big trouble. Can´t see Bottas behaving like Rosberg did in the early years.. Why should he..