P1racenews AI automatic summary:
2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button believes a former team-mate of his could be the ideal driver to replace Lewis Hamilton at the end of 2024, when the 39-year-old joins Ferrari.
Jenson Button believes that Fernando Alonso still has the drive and determination to win in Formula 1, making him a strong candidate for Mercedes as they search for a new teammate for George Russell. With Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari next year, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has several options to consider. One potential short-term option is Kimi Antonelli, an 18-year-old driver in Mercedes’ academy who is seen as a future World Champion. However, if Antonelli is not yet ready for F1, Alonso could be a valuable addition to the team, bringing his experience and skill. Button, who was Alonso’s former teammate at McLaren, would love to see him at Mercedes and believes that he and Russell could learn from each other and work well together.
