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Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso insists he has had no contact with Mercedes following the information that Lewis Hamilton will depart the crew on the finish of the yr to drive for Ferrari.
Like the remainder of the racing world, Alonso mentioned he was stunned by the timing of Hamilton’s resolution, which can see him stroll away from Mercedes halfway via a two-year contract and after 12 years racing on the crew.
“Most likely it was a shock, I can’t lie,” Alonso, who drove for Ferrari between 2010 and 2014, mentioned. “However not due to the change itself, it was simply because from the surface, it appeared like he was very linked with Mercedes and really loyal to them and issues like that. It was a bit bit sudden.”
He added: “It was not his childhood dream 12 months in the past or two months in the past, I suppose, as a result of it was a unique dream.
“I hope he enjoys the expertise. I feel it is a very particular crew, however it’s extra particular while you win. That is the factor, it’s essential to win, and it is a couple of years already that they’ve a really quick automobile and so they have been preventing for large issues, and possibly Lewis can deliver that further to battle for the championship.”
Inside 24 hours of the information breaking, Alonso, whose Aston Martin contract will expire on the finish of 2024, was linked with Mercedes as a attainable alternative for Hamilton.
Alonso, 42, mentioned he had not had any contact with Mercedes and burdened that he would first speak with Aston Martin a few contract renewal earlier than signing a take care of a rival crew for 2025.
“On the Mercedes factor, there was nothing in any respect,” he mentioned. “I do know the driving force market has began earlier this yr than most likely June or July, which is the traditional timing, however this won’t have an effect on me in any respect by way of getting ready the season adequate.
“We now have a really restricted pre-season testing in Bahrain, and since it is so restricted, I can not assume an excessive amount of in regards to the future proper now. I must wait a couple of races.
“I am conscious of my scenario, which may be very distinctive. There are solely three world champions on the grid [Alonso, Hamilton and Max Verstappen], and they’re quick world champions, as a result of up to now possibly there have been some world champions who weren’t so dedicated to being quick.
“I am most likely the one champion accessible for ’25, so I’ve place. On the similar time, after I make the choice if I need to preserve racing or not for the longer term, first and the one speak that I’ll have at first is with Aston Martin, as a result of this can be my just one precedence.”
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Because the oldest driver on the grid, Alonso mentioned he had not but determined whether or not he’ll proceed past the top of this season.
“I feel there are a few phases that I have to undergo. To start with, I have to determine myself what I need to do for the longer term. If I need to commit my life, once more, for a couple of extra years to this sport, which I really like. However I really like driving, I have been driving totally different automobiles everywhere in the winter: DTM automobile, automobile cross, rally automobile, go kart itself… So I really like System One, however usually I really like driving. So if it is not System One, I’ll discover myself glad in another type of motorsport, and possibly having extra time for my non-public life, which can also be crucial at this age.
“However you realize, it is a resolution that I have to do with myself. I have to assume, and I have to decide to a crew, finally, and ensure that I perceive that the following few years of my life, will probably be that crew and 100% of my time. As soon as I make that call I need to sit with Aston Martin and say, ‘OK, I made this resolution, and I might like to proceed with this challenge’.
“As a result of I feel we did step ahead within the final yr, we constructed a whole lot of issues collectively. We now have this new facility right here, now we have every thing to succeed for the longer term, and I belief this challenge. In order that can be my first precedence after I say that I need to communicate first with Aston Martin, as a result of I really feel a part of this challenge very a lot.
“But when we can not attain an settlement, and I need to decide to racing System One, I do know that I’ve a privileged place. I am most likely enticing to different groups, the efficiency that they noticed final yr, the dedication. And as I mentioned, there are solely three world champions on the grid, and there is just one accessible.”