Giancarlo Fisichella says he would replace Lewis Hamilton with ‘immense’ F1 driver in 2025

Follow us on Google Discover

Former Formula 1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella has suggested that if he was in charge of Mercedes, he would replace Lewis Hamilton with Fernando Alonso in 2025.

The 2024 driver market is going to be fascinating and the seven-time world champion’s move to Ferrari is set to kick things off faster than anybody expected.

Speaking to The Metro, Fisichella put the 42-year-old above several of his F1 rivals as the best option alongside George Russell.

Fisichella chooses Alonso as Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes

Working under Toto Wolff and alongside Russell has to be one of the most enticing prospects in Formula 1 right now.

Although the team have only won one race in the past two seasons, they’re still one of the strongest manufacturers on the grid.

Lewis Hamilton has shown exactly what can be done with Mercedes when the team get everything right.

Not only that, whoever comes into the team, unless they’re vastly less experienced than Russell, will fancy their chances of establishing themselves as the number one driver.

The Brit was fantastic in his debut campaign with the team but struggled more than Hamilton in 2023.

Fisichella has said that if he was in charge of Mercedes, he would try and sign Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin.

Alonso has been coy about his future when asked about the vacant seat with the Silver Arrows.

Pedro De La Rosa has admitted he’s desperate for him to extend his deal with Aston Martin but only time will tell where he ends up.

Alonso’s F1 future the talk of the paddock

Speaking about the options to replace Hamilton, Fisichella said: “There are a few replacements on the list. One could be [Fernando] Alonso because he is still very, very quick.

“He’s got a lot of experience, he could be immense for the team. Also Carlos [Sainz], Daniel Ricciardo…

“If I was the team principal, I would put on the top of the list Fernando. Why not?!

“But I think they need a younger driver to be with them a few more years. Carlos maybe has a contract with Audi for the future. I don’t think they are looking for a driver for just one year.”

Jarno Trulli agrees with Fisichella that Alonso seems like the best option for Mercedes for 2025.

All eyes will be on the Formula 2 races this weekend as well to see how Kimi Antonelli gets on.

The opinion of plenty of former drivers is split on Alonso though, with Timo Glock suggesting it would be ‘crazy’ if Mercedes targeted the Spaniard.

The 42-year-old will likely be glad when Saturday rolls around the people are finally able to start talking about the action on the track rather than off it.