Fernando Alonso Approached Mercedes for a Race Seat After Rosberg Retirement

One name that has been doing the rounds during F1 silly season is Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard has been linked to a number of Formula One teams for the 2020 season. He has been in touch with McLaren, though the team are perfectly happy with their current drivers. He was also linked to his former team, Ferrari. However, on an interesting note, he was also linked to another top team back in 2016.

That year, Nico Rosberg took the title and stunned the world when he announced his retirement. Sensing an opportunity, Fernando Alonso pounced and tried to convince Toto Wolff to sign him up. Sadly for him, Wolff did not take the bait and Valtteri Bottas was roped in instead.

Speaking to AS, he said, “In the past, I’ve had contact with Mercedes. Already in 2016, when Nico Rosberg decided to resign, I spoke with Toto Wolff, but in the end, we never reached a definitive yes.”

So, Fernando Alonso was stuck with McLaren for another two years before he finally quit F1. During those two years, the McLaren situation did not improve at all, though he still gave it his all.

After his Formula One venture, Fernando Alonso gunned for the prestigious Triple Crown of Motorsport. Sadly, his attempt to clinch the Indy 500 win, was thwarted twice. The first time was during the race itself when he was in a decent position, only to retire, close to the finish.

The second time was even more heartbreaking as he failed to qualify in the dying moments of the session. Fernando Alonso was already on the bubble when the last driver to run pipped him at the post.

In all honesty, it would have been interesting to see Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso reunited. The last time the two were teammates, it did not end well, as there was a massive ego clash, which both of them the 2007 title.