Mercedes Staff Backed Fernando Alonso as Lewis Hamilton’s… read more

A former Mercedes engineer has revealed an interesting behind-the-scenes story from the period following ’s shock decision to leave for in 2025. According to the former staff member, one driver stood out above all others when team principal asked Mercedes employees who they wanted to see replace the seven-time world champion — and that driver was .

Hamilton’s announcement in early 2024 sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock. After spending 12 successful seasons with Mercedes and winning multiple world championships with the Brackley-based team, his move to Ferrari was one of the biggest driver transfers in modern F1 history. The timing of the announcement made the situation even more dramatic, as Hamilton revealed his future plans before the 2024 season had even begun.

Despite the surprise departure, Wolff later explained that there was no major fallout between himself and Hamilton once the initial shock settled. However, the Mercedes boss still faced a difficult challenge — finding a suitable replacement for one of the greatest drivers the sport has ever seen.

At the time, many believed Mercedes was preparing young Italian talent for a future seat. Still, questions remained about whether the teenager was ready for the pressure of driving for a top Formula 1 team. Mercedes eventually decided to place its trust in Antonelli, a move that has since proven successful, with the young driver currently leading the 2026 Formula 1 championship standings.

Before finalizing that decision, though, Wolff reportedly explored several other options. Former Mercedes engineer Jose Manuel Galan recently shared details of a memorable meeting held at the Mercedes factory after Hamilton’s exit was announced.

According to Galan, Wolff gathered staff members together and openly discussed potential candidates who could step into Hamilton’s seat. As he mentioned different drivers, he reportedly asked employees to raise their hands if they would like to see each driver join Mercedes.

Several well-known names were supposedly brought up during the discussion, but the reaction to Alonso stood out the most. Galan claimed that when Wolff mentioned the two-time world champion, almost the entire factory raised their hands in support.

The revelation may come as a surprise to some fans given Alonso’s long history with rival teams and the intense battles he has shared with Hamilton throughout their careers. Alonso is widely regarded as one of the most talented and experienced drivers in Formula 1 history, having won world championships with and raced for iconic outfits including Ferrari, , and .

Many within the sport have long admired Alonso’s racecraft, technical understanding, and ability to extract strong performances from difficult machinery. Even in the later stages of his career, the Spanish driver continued to prove he could compete at the highest level, which may explain why Mercedes staff were so enthusiastic about the possibility of signing him.

In the end, Mercedes chose to invest in youth rather than experience by promoting Antonelli. The decision appears to be paying off, but Galan’s comments provide a fascinating glimpse into what might have been. Had Mercedes decided differently, Formula 1 fans could have witnessed Alonso driving alongside George Russell in silver over the next few seasons.

The story also highlights the enormous respect Alonso commands within the Formula 1 world. Even after decades in the sport, his reputation among engineers, mechanics, and team personnel remains incredibly strong — strong enough, apparently, to win over an entire Mercedes factory.