The Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has disclosed that he attempted to bring Fernando Alonso as a possible replacement for Lewis Hamilton in 2025, but the Spaniard showed no interest in the offer. Wolff believes Alonso could have had a much more illustrious career and more than two world titles if he had managed his choices differently. This revelation comes after Alonso confirmed his decision to join Aston Martin instead of Mercedes for the 2025 season.
Formula 1 fans were abuzz with speculation after news broke that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had approached two-time world champion Fernando Alonso about potentially replacing Lewis Hamilton in 2025. However, Alonso ultimately declined the offer, choosing instead to join Aston Martin.
Wolff, speaking to the media, expressed his disappointment but also admiration for Alonso's decision. "We believe Fernando is still one of the best drivers in the world," he said. "We made him an offer that would have seen him join us in 2025, but he ultimately decided it was not the right move for him."
Alonso, who had previously raced for McLaren and Ferrari, explained his decision in a statement. "I'm very grateful to Toto and Mercedes for their interest," he said. "However, I believe that Aston Martin is the right team for me at this stage in my career."
Sources close to Alonso indicate that he was not interested in playing a supportive role to Hamilton, who is still performing at a high level. Alonso, known for his competitive spirit, reportedly wanted a team where he would be the undisputed lead driver.
Fernando Alonso's career has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and disappointments. After winning two world championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006, he made several controversial moves that many believe hindered his chances of further success.
In 2007, Alonso joined McLaren but clashed with teammate Lewis Hamilton. The acrimony between the two drivers contributed to a difficult season for the team.
Alonso then switched to Ferrari in 2010, where he enjoyed some success but was unable to challenge Sebastian Vettel for the world championship. In 2015, he surprisingly returned to McLaren, where he has struggled for form in recent years.
Toto Wolff, on the other hand, has led Mercedes to eight consecutive constructors' championships. Under his leadership, Lewis Hamilton has won seven world titles.
1. Why did Fernando Alonso reject Mercedes' offer? Alonso reportedly wanted to be the lead driver on a team, which Mercedes could not offer him with Lewis Hamilton still performing at a high level.
2. Why did Mercedes want to replace Lewis Hamilton? Hamilton is 38 years old and will be 40 in 2025. Mercedes is planning for the future and believes Alonso would be a suitable replacement.
3. What are Alonso's chances of success at Aston Martin? Aston Martin is a mid-field team with potential for growth. Alonso has proven his ability to elevate teams, so he could potentially lead them to greater heights.
4. Will Lewis Hamilton continue to race for Mercedes beyond 2025? Hamilton has not yet announced his plans for the future. However, he is still performing at a high level and has shown no signs of slowing down.
5. What are Alonso's options if he retires from Formula 1? Alonso is a versatile driver and could potentially pursue a career in other racing series such as endurance racing or rally. He has also expressed interest in management roles in motorsport.
Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw showed his softer side by sharing an endearing message for social media influencer and actress Akriti Agarwal. The duo recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi together, giving fans a glimpse of their camaraderie. Despite facing a setback in the 2025 IPL auction, Shaw is determined to make a strong comeback with his new team and has been working hard to improve his batting skills, according to Maharashtra's chief selector Akshay Darekar.
With a chance to continue their winning streak, Manchester United head to the Etihad for a heated derby match against Manchester City. Despite City's recent struggles, United should not underestimate their rivals as both teams are vying for dominance in the Premier League. However, with last season's win at the Etihad and a confident Ruben Amorim at the helm, United are poised to secure another victory. Meanwhile, the speculation surrounding the future of Manchester United's manager continues, with names like Zinedine Zidane and Sean Dyche being thrown into the mix.
In a thrilling match at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, Spanish champions Barcelona put on a masterclass performance against Valencia. The highlight of the game was Marcus Rashford's top-notch assist for Barcelona's second goal, showing his potential as a loanee from Manchester United. With Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also scoring and the use of VAR, it was a night to remember for Barcelona's fans.
After being sidelined for 383 days due to a major injury, FC Barcelona's Marc Bernal made a stunning comeback during the team's clash with Valencia. The 18-year-old was greeted by a standing ovation from his teammates and fans as he stepped onto the pitch. In just a few minutes, he made an impact by assisting in the team's 6-0 win. This comeback marks a major milestone in Bernal's journey as a player and he will be looking to continue building on this next step in his career.
In a thrilling and high stakes match, India proved their superiority over Pakistan, winning by seven wickets. However, the Indian team's decision to not shake hands with their opponents and captain Suryakumar Yadav's dedication of the win to the armed forces sparked controversy and questions. India's victory was aided by impressive performances from players like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma, who was hailed by Suryakumar as the player of the match. The win has secured India a spot in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup, making it a happy birthday for Suryakumar, who also achieved his personal goal of staying on the crease till the end. With the return of Sourav Ganguly as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Indian cricket is looking to maintain its strong and successful legacy.
India's Kuldeep Yadav takes 3 wickets and Suryakumar Yadav dedicates win to Armed Forces at post-match presentation while Afridi's 36 runs not enough for Pakistan In a highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Pakistan's batting proved to be no match for India's spinners, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 3 wickets and restricting Pakistan to 127 runs. Suryakumar Yadav also shone with his statement dedicating the win to India's Armed Forces. In a dominant display, India easily chased the target in just 16 overs with a brilliant performance from Suryakumar and Afridi's cameo not enough for Pakistan.
The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has been a controversial topic, with some calling for it to be cancelled following recent events. However, the Indian Supreme Court has given the green signal for the match to proceed, citing the new Sports Bill which allows for multi-team tournaments but restricts bilateral ties. The court also declined to list an urgent PIL seeking cancellation of the match.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to kick off their journey in the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 with a clash against each other. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India is seen as one of the leading contenders for the title, with a strong batting unit and a well-rounded bowling attack. On the other hand, UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, is the underdog in this match, but will aim to put up a tough fight in front of their home crowd. With live streaming and telecast details available, fans are eagerly waiting for the showdown between these two teams.
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah proved why he's considered one of the best bowlers in the world as he made a successful T20I comeback against UAE in the Asia Cup 2025. With a searing yorker, Bumrah knocked over opening batter Alishan Sharafu, giving his team an early breakthrough. However, former India captain Ajay Jadeja felt that the star bowler should have been rested for the match against a weaker UAE side. Although there are concerns about his workload, Bumrah continues to shine on the field.
In their opening game of the 2025 Asia Cup, India displayed a dominant performance against the UAE, winning by a staggering margin of 103 runs. Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket haul and Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy and batting prowess led the team to victory. This marks India's first T20 match since February and the team showed no signs of rustiness, asserting their status as one of the top teams in the format.