Hamilton: 'Alonso and Mercedes isn't going to happen!'

If Lewis Hamilton has anything to say about it, Fernando Alonso won't be joining Mercedes anytime soon.

The McLaren driver's contract expires at the end of 2017 and it seems highly improbable, at this stage at least, that the Spaniard would extend his lease at Woking.

Pundits therefore are already relishing the prospect of a move to Mercedes and a mega-battle in-house with Lewis Hamilton.

But the Brit is hardly keen on such an outlook when asked in Shanghai yesterday.

"It's not going to happen," he said.

"If you have got two kilos on either side, and then take the two kilos off and put four on, what is the point? You need the balance," he said.

Hamilton: 'Drivers engaging with fans is key for the sport'

Hamilton thinks the balance at Mercedes is perfectly right as it stands with current team mate Valtteri Bottas. A judgement whihc Mercedes boss Toto Wolff agrees with.

"Again here he is only two tenths behind Lewis, which is a strong performance given how great Hamilton's (qualifying) lap was," said Wolff.

"I am also very happy about how well Lewis and Valtteri work together."

Would the 'entente' be just as good if Bottas was beating Hamilton ? We hope to soon find that out...

GALLERY: All the pictures from Saturday in Shanghai

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.