Mercedes: Lauda rules out the possibility of signing Alonso

Niki Lauda ruled out the prospect of bringing Fernando Alonso to Mercedes while indicating that negotiations with Lewis Hamilton have begun for a contract extension.

Sebastian Vettel’s departure, as he will leave Red Bull at the end of the season, has kicked off the transfer market. While the German driver is expected to join Ferrari, it is Alonso who is anticipated to join McLaren-Honda.

An exchange between Alonso and Vettel was mentioned, but Daniil Kvyat will ultimately be Daniel Ricciardo’s teammate next season. The Asturian driver knows what he wants to do for the 2015 season, and Mercedes seems to be a possibility for him. However, Niki Lauda has closed the door to his arrival, as he told Sky Sports: “We have Lewis and we have Nico. They are on the front row in Japan, why should we change anything? For us, it’s clear, because we never discussed with him [editor’s note: Alonso], since Lewis has signed a contract for next year and Nico has two more years.”

The aim of Mercedes is therefore to extend Lewis Hamilton’s contract, who only has one year left on his contract: « With Lewis now, we are negotiating to renew his contract after 2015. We hope to extend it for two or three years. We are currently discussing the duration with him. We are all positive, he is happy with what is happening with us » the Austrian continued.

The question was asked to Lewis Hamilton whether Alonso might have a chance to join Mercedes: « I’m here and I intend to stay, and I know Nico will be here too. He might, maybe, become the third driver, I don’t know, but I don’t think that’s going to happen » declared the Briton, not without humor, to the English media after the qualifying session.