Speculation surrounding Fernando Alonso’s future has gotten wilder as the days pass. The Spaniard has now been linked with a return to Lotus – some have even suggested he is set to invest in the team – but one thing is for sure…he holds the key to the driver market.
Once his position for 2015 has been settled, the remaining dominoes should begin to fall in place and it’s likely they’ll fall exactly where they stand if he remains at the prancing horse.
However should at least one of the rumours prove to be true, be that McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes or even Lotus, then the driver market could be set for a major reshuffle.
According to journalist Adam Cooper via a source close to the Italian team, Ferrari are preparing for Alonso’s departure and are actively seeking a replacement in the form of Lewis Hamilton rather than the more likely Sebastian Vettel.
“Hamilton now figures high on Maranello’s wish list, and indeed the Briton might be more easily able to walk away from Mercedes in 2015 than some might believe,” writes Cooper. “He’s certainly less tied down than Vettel.”
Why would Ferrari want to rid themselves of one of if not the most highly regarded driver on the grid though? Marco Mattiacci is believed to have implemented a five year plan to turn things around and Alonso simply doesn’t fit because of his age. He’ll be 38 by the time Mattiacci’s plan is in full swing and that’s considered ‘over the hill’ in F1 terms.
Hamilton however will still be in his prime and some in the paddock reckon he would happily leave the strained-relationship between him and Nico Rosberg at Mercedes if he can at least add another world championship to his tally.
The ‘source’ however could simply be sending the media on a wild goose chase as the ‘silly season’ continues in full swing.
We’re likely to know more – much more if some are to be believed – within the next couple of races. It’s either going to be a year of major change, or one of stability.
