GrayGreat wrote: ↑16 Jun 2018, 00:12With McLaren, even if not winning, at least he is driving for a big name. With FI or Williams, it is not the case so he will simply leave F1 rather than driving for those teams.Big Tea wrote: ↑15 Jun 2018, 23:12I think if Hamilton did go, and Ricciardo was available it would be a straight swap.GrayGreat wrote: ↑15 Jun 2018, 22:20Well, I think he will stay, or at least will not rush any decision because:
There is a (very?) slim chance that Hamilton will leave F1 at the end of this year (being discussed in another topic if he is motivated or not etc) as his contract is coming to an end, so there might be an opening at Mercedes. If Hamilton leaves, it will be between Alonso and Ricciardo for the Mercedes seat.
Second, if by any chance Ricciardo signs for Ferrari alongside Vettel, then Mercedes might pair Fernando with Hamilton at Mercedes (if he is still at Mercedes). The reason for Mercedes putting Fernando alongside Hamilton is, for Mercedes, WCC is more important than WDC. And it is very much possible that the Vettel + Ricciardo combo will not allow Hamilton + Bottas to win the WCC, both Vettel and Ricciardo are better than Bottas and with Ferrari becoming more and more competitive, it will be Ferrari who will run away with WCC. Will Ferrari sign Ricciardo or not is entirely another thing.
Also, apparently, Ricciardo is waiting for Hamilton's contract to be signed to make sure that there is no opening at Mercedes before re-signing with RedBull (does this mean Ferrari is not interested in Ricciardo or he is not in talks with Ferrari at all?)
I think Alonso will be watching everything pretty closely and will not rush any decision.
I doubt RBR would consider Alonso. So the only sensible option would be to stay at Mclaren.
I also very much doubt any other team would allow him to chase his triple crown on their time.
As a 'out of left field' option, how about Alonso heading a bid for Force India? Or even possibly Williams if he wants to stay in F1 and drive for a while then manage.
If no top seat becomes available for him, and he wants to stay in F1, then there is one more possibility. Keep driving for McLaren in F1 and Toyota in WEC. After winning Lemans this year, Toyota will be ready to leave WEC so maybe they will become an F1 engine supplier and make a works deal with McLaren (not before 2021 obviously) but Alonso will be 40+ (42?) by then.
Big Tea wrote: ↑16 Jun 2018, 11:36GrayGreat wrote: ↑16 Jun 2018, 00:12With McLaren, even if not winning, at least he is driving for a big name. With FI or Williams, it is not the case so he will simply leave F1 rather than driving for those teams.Big Tea wrote: ↑15 Jun 2018, 23:12
I think if Hamilton did go, and Ricciardo was available it would be a straight swap.
I doubt RBR would consider Alonso. So the only sensible option would be to stay at Mclaren.
I also very much doubt any other team would allow him to chase his triple crown on their time.
As a 'out of left field' option, how about Alonso heading a bid for Force India? Or even possibly Williams if he wants to stay in F1 and drive for a while then manage.
If no top seat becomes available for him, and he wants to stay in F1, then there is one more possibility. Keep driving for McLaren in F1 and Toyota in WEC. After winning Lemans this year, Toyota will be ready to leave WEC so maybe they will become an F1 engine supplier and make a works deal with McLaren (not before 2021 obviously) but Alonso will be 40+ (42?) by then.
I agree with him better with Mclaren, thats why I said 'heading a bid', as in fronting a consortium of byers and becoming team owner or manager. He could drive for a year or two if he wanted, long enough to bring some sponsors to his name, then move to team boss role in the manner of Prost or some of the old day bosses who took their name as team name. 'Driving for team Alonso are...'
Often does not work, but if he sees his name with triple crown, why not as team principle?
He has to have a hobby when he retires and I don't see him in a shed rebuilding classics.
Didn't Marchionne publicly say that they rejected a proposal from him and Flavio? To this date, I believe Marco Mattiacci was brought in to play Alonso.