Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso has comically told former McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton to “stay” at Mercedes, with the seven-time World Champion having revealed that a new contract is nearly ready.
Hamilton stated on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix that a new deal with the Silver Arrows was “almost” ready to be signed, with the expectation being that his new contract will see him remain a Mercedes driver until at least the end of 2025.
His future has been a big talking point ahead of the sixth round of the 2023 Formula 1 season, due to reports that Ferrari are planning a £40 million offer to tempt the Briton away from Brackley.
Mercedes, of course, are no longer the dominant team that they were a couple of years ago, with them having slipped to third in the pecking order.
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As a result of the Silver Arrows’ struggles, Hamilton hasn’t claimed a victory since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with him often saying that the side “wins together and loses together”.
Alonso took a cheeky dig at this when asked about Hamilton’s future, with him joking that he should remain at Mercedes given that he isn’t currently winning.
“He always says that he wins together and loses together with the team. So now that he doesn’t win, he just has to stay,” said Alonso, as reported by GPFans.com.
Alonso is targeting a big performance this weekend at the Circuit de Monaco, with the Spaniard having admitted several times this season already that he sees Monaco as Aston Martin’s best chance at claiming a race win.
The veteran has won at the Principality twice in his career, all the way back in 2006 and 2007.
Alonso is currently enjoying his best start to a season since 2007, with that having been the last time he claimed four podiums from the opening five races.
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The 41-year-old will at least be hoping to finish higher than third in Monaco; however, he’s certain he can win this weekend.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t come here to win,” Alonso admitted.
“This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity. The self-confidence you gain during training is important. I will be attacking more than other weekends. Weather? I don’t care”.