‘Fernando Alonso will not join Mercedes’

Editor

According to Fernando Alonso’s manager Flavio Briatore, the double World Champion will see out his contract at McLaren and not join Mercedes in 2017.

The Spaniard is rumoured to replace World Champion Nico Rosberg, who recently announced his retirement days after winning the Championship in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier in the week, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitted that Alonso is being looked at as a possible successor to Rosberg.

"He is a driver I respect a lot. He combines talent, speed and experience. It's all there,” said the Austrian.

However, Briatore distanced his client from the move.

"Fernando Alonso will not be in a Mercedes in 2017," Briatore told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Granted, people always think of Fernando when a top car is free. But we have a contract and we will respect that."

Apart from Alonso, Mercedes development driver Pascal Wehrlein is also in contention for the race seat.