Pat Symonds believes that Mercedes would make a wise decision by hiring Fernando Alonso. After the surprising news of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025, speculation abounds as to who will take the coveted spot at Mercedes. Despite a challenging start to the season, Mercedes remains one of the top teams in Formula 1. The name of Aston Martin has emerged as a potential contender for the position.
According to Symonds, former Renault engineer, replacing Lewis Hamilton with Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion, would be the best choice for Mercedes. Symonds believes that Alonso is still one of the best drivers on the grid and could provide valuable insights to help Mercedes excel under the 2026 technical regulations. As Mercedes has emphasized having enough time to choose a driver, only time will tell if Alonso will be selected.
Alonso is highly regarded in the 2025 driver market, with both Aston Martin and Mercedes expressing interest in signing him for the upcoming season and beyond. However, former Formula 1 driver Surer has warned teams about hiring the 42-year-old world champion. Surer suggests that Alonso’s age may have led to a decline in his speed.
Surer believes it is natural for a driver of Alonso’s age to experience a decrease in speed. He points out that Alonso has not qualified on the front row of the grid this season. After Surer’s comments, Alonso will surely be motivated to showcase his brilliance during the upcoming race in Japan.