Eddie Jordan backs ‘superstar’ F1 driver to snub replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

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Eddie Jordan has revealed who he expects Fernando Alonso to drive for in 2025 amid interest from Mercedes in the Aston Martin ace potentially replacing Lewis Hamilton.

The Silver Arrows are searching for a new star driver to share the garage with George Russell following Hamilton securing his shock switch to Ferrari. But Mercedes have one possible ace up their sleeve with more than half of the 2024 Formula 1 grid’s contracts expiring this term.

Seats could also open up among the front-running teams with Red Bull through Sergio Perez and Aston Martin through Alonso and Lance Stroll. While Carlos Sainz is on the open market after Ferrari opted to ditch talks to extend the Spaniard’s contract to sign Hamilton for 2025.

Mercedes are interested in Fernando Alonso replacing Lewis Hamilton in 2025

Alonso signed an initial two-year contract to join Aston Martin after two seasons with Alpine before the 2023 campaign. He moved to the Silverstone squad to replace Sebastian Vettel. It also saw Alonso stand on more podiums in 2023 than his previous seven seasons combined.

The 42-year-old enjoyed a ‘dream’ first season with Aston Martin after taking eight podiums – including six in the first eight Grand Prix. Alonso also finished the 2023 campaign fourth in the drivers’ standings. So, his contractual situation is now meriting the interest of Mercedes.

BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer Andrew Benson has reported as ‘a fact’ that Alonso is ‘on the list’ at Mercedes to replace Hamilton in 2025. Team principal Toto Wolff is considering replacing their seven-time champion with the two-time title-winner for another star-studded line-up.

Eddie Jordan backs Fernando Alonso to sign a new contract with Aston Martin

But former team owner Jordan believes Alonso is a ‘class act’ and will agree a new contract at Aston Martin for 2025 – snubbing the potential chance to replace Hamilton at Mercedes. The Oviedo native opened 2024 with a P9 in the Bahrain GP and P5 in the Saudi Arabian GP.

Jordan said on the Formula For Success podcast: “You have these Spanish superstars, at the moment, whether they’re in tennis or football and he’s the one in motor racing. He’s a class act and I think he will stay there.

“He is a world champion and he should have been, in my opinion – I’m critical of his somewhat management skills or the people who managed him – because he should have won at least four or five world championships in my view because he’s that talented.”

Alonso declared ahead of the 2024 season that Aston Martin are ‘my only one priority’ amid early hints of interest from Mercedes. He also added that if the Spaniard opts to keep racing in 2025, which is not yet guaranteed, Aston Martin will be at the front of the queue for talks.

“I’m probably the only champion available for ‘25,” Alonso said in February, via ESPN. “So, I have a good position. At the same time, when I make the decision if I want to keep racing or not for the future, [the] first and the only talk that I will have at the beginning is with Aston Martin because this will be my only one priority.”