Formula 1 owners Liberty Media are apparently pushing Mercedes to take on Fernando Alonso as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement for 2021.
German publication Auto Bild claims the sport’s bosses are actively involved in trying to get the Spaniard back in a top seat on the grid and see an opportunity after Lewis Hamilton’s reported contact with Ferrari.
If the latter move happens, Liberty believes having Alonso potentially alongside Max Verstappen, depending on the future of Valtteri Bottas, would be a “pure money printing machine” for F1.
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Perhaps giving credence to this crazy notion is an admittance from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko that Liberty had previously pushed them to take on the double world champion.
It was even rumoured mid-season that Fernando was considered to replace Pierre Gasly, however, there was one party that is very much against having any association with the 38-year-old.
“We immediately said that there is no need for Alonso,” Marko said.
“It’s also not possible because of our engine partner Honda. If they even hear the name Alonso, all their hackles are up.”
At a time when F1 should be building new stars rather than focusing on old ones, Liberty’s apparent obsession with Fernando, while understandable, is sheer madness.
