Mercedes quick to rubbish Alonso rumours

Editor

Toto Wolff is adamant Mercedes won’t be looking to Fernando Alonso for a 2019 driver despite rumours to the contrary.

According to the Daily Mail, Flavio Briatore is in the Baku paddock this weekend to negotiate his driver’s future.

The DM added that the “wily old goat, who helped to negotiate this race into existence, was trying to blag a place at Mercedes for his driver client, Fernando Alonso.

“Hamilton v Alonso II, now that would be fun.”

However, Mercedes motorsport boss Wolff was quick to pour cold water on that report.

“You don’t need another woman when you have a beautiful wife already,” said the Austrian.

Mercedes have yet to lock down a driver for next season but are in talks with Hamilton for next season while negotiations with Bottas are expected to start midseason.