Alonso held talks with Mercedes

Fernando Alonso has admitted that he held talks with Mercedes over the course of ‘a couple of days’ following the shock retirement of Nico Rosberg.

Rosberg announced his immediate retirement from the sport within days of clinching the 2016 Formula One World Championship.

The timing for Mercedes was poor as all the top drivers on the grid were locked into contracts.

Mercedes however still approached several drivers and Fernando Alonso has confirmed he was one of them.

‘Once Rosberg retired, Mercedes did a little check on everyone. It was nothing really strange or deep, it was just a round check they did to hear my situation. Alonso told Sky Sports.

The 35-year-old is entering the final year of his water tight contract with McLaren Honda and thus the Spaniard was always going to deny his interest, even if confirming lengthy talks took place would suggest otherwise.

‘There were a couple of days where there were conversations and phone calls arrived to me, but there was no point in discussing them. I’m happy. McLaren-Honda, along with Ferrari, are the two most prestigious teams.’

Driving for the most prestigious teams doesn’t necessarily win you races or championship though.

In 2018, the best place to do that is likely to be either at Mercedes or Red Bull Racing.

As Red Bull Racing is unlikely to ever be a destination for Alonso, then the two-time Formula One World Champion would be daft to not consider Mercedes.

Valtteri Bottas is believed to have only be handed a one-year-contract, opening the door for Mercedes to perhaps snap up Alonso once he becomes a free agent?

‘Mercedes? For the future, we will see. August, September, there is no point talking before then as I will be fully focused on this championship and we will need to see which cars and teams are competitive with these new rules.’ Alonso concluded.