06/12/2016
NEWS STORY
Toto Wolff admits that Fernando Alonso is one of the drivers Mercedes is considering as a replacement for Nico Rosberg.
Though Zak Brown insists that Alonso is "happy" at McLaren, the fact is that unless the Woking outfit enjoys one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the sport, the Spaniard is not going to realise his dream of a third world championship title with the Honda-powered team, certainly any time soon.
On the other hand... there's Mercedes.
As the Silver Arrows ponder how to replace Rosberg, the elephant in the room is that had the German not chosen to retire he would have lined up alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2017 as reigning world champion, winner of 23 Grands Prix, 30-times pole-man and 20 times the fastest driver over the course of a race.
Consequently, all else considered, including the fact that 2017 sees a raft of new regulations, why would Mercedes want to risk a possible fourth consecutive title, be it drivers' or constructors', on a relative rookie.
When the grid lines up in Melbourne next March, Alonso will be the most experienced man on the grid, winner of two titles and 32 Grands Prix. Along with Vettel (and Hamilton) he is the most proven driver out there.
Consequently, despite Brown's assurances it comes as no surprise to hear that Mercedes is giving consideration to re-establishing a driver partnership that almost brought McLaren to its knees.
"You have to consider Fernando," Wolff told Sky Sports. "He is a driver I respect a lot. He combines talent, speed and experience. It's all there.
"But he is in a contract with McLaren at the moment and we just need to weigh all the other options up."
Happy or not, Alonso would be a whole lot happier in a car that can provide that third title, not to mention re-partnering with one of the finest ever talents to grace the sport. Consequently, you can be sure that the Spaniard will have people looking through the small print of his contract with the same relish that others are challenging some of the more interesting political results.
Though there is little that Mercedes can offer McLaren, one person who could push for the deal is Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 supremo fully aware that putting the Spaniard in a place where we all wish he would rather be would be box office gold.