Wolff: Alonso would be 'first alternative'

Mercedes F1 prepares to put his titles back on the line after dominating the 2014 season with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. The Brackley team had no difficulty in extending the contracts of its drivers even if the star-studded firm had caught the eye of Fernando Alonso. The double world champion dreamed of driving the W06, but it ended up being McLaren who will benefit from the talent of the Asturian.

Toto wolff, the executive director of Mercedes Motorsport, expressed his distrust to the Gazzetta dello Sport following this return of the Spaniard to Woking. “He’s dangerous with any car. If he has a car in his hands to compete for sixth place, he could take third. » The Austrian does not hide that the former pilot Ferrari could one day defend the colors of the Silver Arrows. " I am optimistic. The priority is to continue with our drivers. But if that were not possible, Alonso would represent the first alternative. Then would come Bottas."

Toto Wolff is currently focusing on the development of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's new mount. Mercedes F1 intends to make the W06 operational quickly. “We plan to first assemble the car in mid-January for a first test at Silverstone (Great Britain). But we will only be able to compare ourselves to the competition at the tests planned in Jerez (in Spain, from February 1 to 4). We have not yet defined a presentation date but it could happen during the first session in Spain. »

Discover the exclusive interview with Toto Wolff elected by AUTOhebdo as manager of the year in issue 1992, still available in digital version and on newsstands.