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.
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green made waves at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi as he was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a staggering ₹25.20 crore, making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history. With KKR's already strong middle-order, JioStar expert Anil Kumble suggests that Green could be utilized at the top of the order for the team. Green's successful bid also broke the record for the most bids received for a cricketer, with 117 bids.
The IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi has made headlines with Kolkata Knight Riders' massive Rs. 9.20 crore bid for Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman. The left-arm pacer, who has earned a reputation for his cutters, was previously a part of Delhi Capitals as an injury replacement in IPL 2025. This high-profile deal has got cricket fans buzzing with excitement for the upcoming IPL season.
The IPL 2022 auction saw an intense bidding war for highly talented all-rounder Prashant Veer, who became the most expensive uncapped player in the history of the tournament. Chennai Super Kings, backed by their strong purse, made a bold move by outbidding other contenders and securing Veer for a whopping Rs 14.20 crore. The young 20-year-old has shown great potential with his left-arm spin bowling and aggressive batting in domestic T20 tournaments, making him a promising addition to the CSK squad. With this record-breaking purchase, CSK has made a strong statement of their intent to win the coveted title in the upcoming season.
Delhi Capitals have a clear strategy going into the IPL 2026 mini-auction, with a focus on fine-tuning their already strong team. The franchise wasted no time in acquiring South African veteran David Miller and English wicketkeeper-batter Ben Duckett, both at their base prices of INR 2 Crore, making them the first two players to be sold in the auction. With a settled core, DC can afford to be patient but aggressive in their targeted approach towards strengthening their squad.
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made their mark at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi by acquiring three promising players - Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, and Kartik Sharma. With a total of 369 players up for signing, the CSK made wise choices and strengthened their team for the upcoming season. Fans are eagerly waiting to see these new additions in action alongside veteran players like M.S. Dhoni.
In a surprise move at the IPL 2026 auction, Kolkata Knight Riders outbid other franchises to secure the services of Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana for a massive sum of Rs. 18 crore. The 21-year-old impressed with his match-winning spell of 4 for 19 in the UAE's ILT20, catching the attention of franchise owners. Pathirana's swift rise in the cricket world showcases his talent and potential, making him a valuable addition to the KKR squad.
Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma made headlines during the recent IPL auction as they were sold for a whopping Rs 14.20 crore each, breaking the record for the most expensive uncapped players in the league. The two youngsters, who play for Uttar Pradesh, have shown great potential and caught the attention of teams with their performances in domestic cricket. Veer is a spin-bowling all-rounder while Kartik is a hard-hitting middle-order batter, making them valuable additions to any team.
Get ready for all the live updates from the much anticipated IPL 2026 Auction, where 369 players will be vying for a chance to join the 10 franchises and fill the remaining 77 slots. With a maximum of 25 players per team allowed, including eight overseas players, the stakes are high in this much-awaited event held in Abu Dhabi. Stay tuned for all the latest developments and team strategies.
Despite strong domestic form, Indian batsmen Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan failed to attract any bids in the IPL 2026 auction, while Kolkata Knight Riders shelled out a record Rs 25.20 crore to secure Australian all-rounder Cameron Green. Shaw's lack of bids comes after being released by Delhi Capitals, despite his success with Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan's omission raises eyebrows after his rapid 73 off 22 balls and fastest Mumbai fifty in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
The IPL 2026 mini auction is underway in Abu Dhabi, with all franchises vying for top players to strengthen their squads. With only 77 slots available for 369 players, intense bidding has already taken place, resulting in some high-priced purchases. Among the most expensive players bought so far are Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana, and Indian all-rounders Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma. With big-name players still up for grabs, it will be interesting to see who will come out on top at the end of the auction.