Fernando Alonso believes that he is in a “good position to negotiate” where he ends up in Formula 1 in 2025 amid rumours linking him with the vacant Mercedes seat.
Alonso traded Alpine for Aston Martin last term and excelled as the Silverstone-based squad emerged as a consistent contender for podiums in the nascent stages.
However, the Spaniard is one of several drivers out of contract at the end of 2024 and has been touted as a replacement for Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
Although Alonso has pledged his commitment to Aston Martin, the two-time champion also teased that he was the sole F1 champion available on the driver market.
Speaking during pre-season testing last week, Alonso reiterated that he was in a strong place to decide his future but added that he was fixated on the opening races.
“In my case, it’s very interesting because I have, I think, a good position to negotiate,” Alonso said.
“But I want to at least do the first couple of races without thinking too much. I want to see myself into a new season. It’s going to be the longest-ever season in Formula 1 [at 24 races].
“I want to change a little bit some of the travel schedule and things to be really efficient this year and arrive with high energy at the end of the year.
“So, a couple of things that are my main focus now are not so much next year.”
Alonso revealed that his winter training regime had made him late to the Hamilton news and he has since admitted that the timing in particular was unexpected to him.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen reckons that both parties had been forced to make a premature announcement due to rumours – a viewpoint which Alonso agrees with.
“It was a surprise. I was expecting maybe around summertime to have a little bit of action, but it started really early. There were some leaks,” Alonso claimed.
“Probably [Ferrari and Mercedes] have to announce earlier than expected. So, after that, definitely more action going on.”
George Russell revealed that he has been receiving phone calls and text messages from various drivers enquiring about partnering him at Mercedes next season.
However, it appears Alonso has not been one of those, with the Aston Martin driver refusing to be drawn on an answer about a potential move to the German marque.
“I already said last week when we launched the car about the future and I will not repeat every weekend because next week is gonna be the same question and I will be consistent with the answer,” he declared.
