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Red Bull should sign Alonso – Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton suggests Red Bull should sign double world champion Fernando Alonso to replace the struggling Pierre Gasly.
Daniel Ricciardo’s decision to move to Renault meant Red Bull promoted Gasly after just one year of Formula 1 experience, and the Frenchman has struggled so far with a best finish of fourth at Silverstone. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, has won two of the last four races and was on pole position in Hungary. After a race-long battle between Hamilton and Verstappen on Sunday was praised by Alonso, the championship leader hinted Red Bull should approach the Spaniard.
“Well, firstly that’s really awesome that he’s supportive,” Hamilton said. “I was just actually watching some of the restarts, the starts of previous years and watching him from his Renault days, and I remember before I even got to Formula 1 watching how amazing their starts were.
“I don’t know how old Fernando is now, but he’s always going to be a great driver. If he can get a good seat, he’s always welcome here to battle with us. It doesn’t make a difference, really, necessarily for me. I’m here to fight whoever’s here.”
After Verstappen suggested it was a shame he didn’t get the opportunity to fight against Alonso in F1, Hamilton replied: “Could be a good teammate for you…”
Verstappen pointed out Hamilton has experience as Alonso’s teammate and could speak to Wolff about the two-time world champion joining Mercedes, but Hamilton said Gasly’s lack of results suggest Red Bull would benefit from approaching Alonso.
“The sport needs the best drivers in the best seats, and there is still at least a seat available that’s good enough for winning, and he’s good enough for winning, so it wouldn’t be such a bad (move)… Valtteri’s great; Valtteri’s been winning! You [Verstappen] are the one with the extra seat, I would say.”
Alonso currently has no confirmed drives after leaving Toyota’s World Endurance Championship project at the end of the 2018-19 Super Season, and last raced in F1 for McLaren in Abu Dhabi last year.
Presented by:
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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