When Nico Rosberg announced his retirement a week ago, one name dominated Twitter to be his replacement, Fernando Alonso.
Most are desperate to see the Spaniard in a position where he can finally add a third world title to his resume after years of near misses and disappointment at McLaren and Ferrari.
Given Alonso’s attitude, it was also seen that, upon a shiny seat at a top team becoming available, efforts would be made to say ‘adios’ after two years of midfield misery at McLaren and that he could stroll right onto Brackley.
While that might be what fans and likely the man himself could envisage in their heads, the reality is doing so would be very hard.
Alonso may only have one year left on his current contract but it is more cast iron and much more expensive than the one he had at Ferrari.
It was one of the reasons Jenson Button was the man who made way for Stoffel Vandoorne to come in for 2017.
The hopes of watching round two between Alonso and Hamilton as teammates will never happen has also now been confirmed by the Spaniard’s long-time manager and still close confidant Flavio Briatore.
“How is it that, whenever a seat becomes available, Fernando is always mentioned?” The flamboyant Italian was quoted by Autosport.
Briatore would then knock away suggestions that the current scenario now is similar to that, that saw Alonso move to McLaren in 2015.
“The situation at Ferrari was different and we had an agreement with [Luca di] Montezemolo, if we didn’t win the title in 2014, we would be free,” he explained.
“Luca kept that promise.”
Putting the whole question of ‘who should replace Rosberg’ into context, it is also apparent that Alonso really wouldn’t fit the criteria that Mercedes want.
Of course, they want a driver who can be/ is a race winner and will help the team in the battle for the Constructors’ championship, but after a few years of increasing conflict between Hamilton and Rosberg, Toto Wolff wants to bring serenity back to Mercedes.
While it is highly likely there would not be a repeat of 2007 between Alonso and Hamilton, both men are now a decade older and wiser, the competitive spirit between the two means maintaining ‘harmony’ may not be guaranteed.
It is also almost certain that any replacement will join as the ‘number two’ to Hamilton with the Briton leading the German team’s charge next season.
It is why they are much more likely to look at Nico Hulkenberg, who already declined an approach, and Valtteri Bottas, who is the current favourite. Two drivers who are known to be quick and reliable and would keep to Toto’s tight guidelines.
The desire for what you might consider a dull, Germanic atmosphere at Mercedes may make the decision over who will eventually replace Rosberg a bit of a disappointment.
Anyone who wanted a fiery all-star line-up will certainly be let down as it just isn’t Wolff’s way.
It’s why while the heart of many said Alonso, the head simply said no and it’s also why at the end of all the talk and debate, we shouldn’t be surprised when the man revealed before the end of the year is called Pascal Wehrlein (though that wouldn’t be so bad).
