Fernando Alonso has been lined up as an alternative to Lewis Hamilton, but he is not a priority for the team, according to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
With no new contract having been announced between world champion Hamilton and the German outfit, rumours have begun to suggest that Alonso is being lined up for the 2016 season when the Briton’s current deal expires.
Wolff insists that no deal has been announced because he is yet to sit down with Hamilton. Alonso meanwhile is simply an alternative should negotiations collapse.
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“I cannot comment,” Wolff told Sport Bild when asked if Alonso had a clause in his McLaren contract that should an opening be available at Mercedes next year, he would be released.
He added: “Only this: it’s always good to be prepared for all eventualities. Alternatives are always important. But they are alternatives, not priorities.”
Wolff is however confident that talks with Hamilton will go smoothly once they’ve sat down and begun the necessary discussions.
“We have not yet agreed [anything] because we have not sat down together,” explained the Austrian.
“At the end of last season, we did not want to disrupt Lewis’ focus. Now he is back from vacation, we will sit together in the near future.
“I can say: both parties want to extend. For us, Lewis and Nico is the best and strongest driver combination and we therefore have no reason to change anything.”
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