Fernando Alonso currently does not have a seat for the 2025 season.
Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion, has urged Mercedes to sign Fernando Alonso as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton in 2025.
Toto Wolff, the boss of Mercedes, now faces the challenge of finding a new driver for next year after Hamilton’s announcement last Thursday that he will be leaving for Ferrari at the end of 2024.
2024 will mark Hamilton’s final season as a driver for the Silver Arrows, bringing an end to a relationship that began when he was just 13 years old.
The seven-time World Champion has been offered a lucrative deal to fulfill his dream of racing for the famous red team.
While Hamilton’s career is secure until at least the end of 2026 with his “multi-year” contract with Ferrari, Wolff has a significant gap to fill.
Given the void left by the departure of the 103-time World Champion, Wolff needs to find a truly exceptional driver to replace Hamilton.
Mercedes does have the young sensation Kimi Antonelli as a potential option for promotion in 2025, provided he earns enough points on his super license in his debut Formula 2 season this year.
Antonelli is highly regarded as the next big talent, but Wolff may prefer to allow the young driver more time to develop.
In the meantime, a short-term solution may be more suitable, and Button believes that Alonso is the perfect candidate.
Button’s admiration for Alonso is evident, and with Alonso’s contract at Aston Martin set to conclude in 2024, he will be available for free in 2025.
Despite being 42 years old, Alonso’s determination remains as strong as ever, as demonstrated by his eight podium finishes last year.
Furthermore, Alonso has a good relationship with George Russell, as they have been seen socializing together in the past.
It could be the ideal final chapter for Alonso, especially if Mercedes provides him with a car capable of competing for victories next year.
Button expressed his support for Alonso, stating, “I might have a man crush on my ex-team-mate Fernando Alonso. I’d love to see Fernando Alonso. He is 42 now, but I believe the hunger is still there. If the hunger and fitness are present, which I think they are, it would be a great partnership. They would learn from each other and work well together.”