Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMcLaren

Alonso tried to secure Mercedes drive in 2015

As his relationship with Ferrari progressively dissolved in 2014, Fernando Alonso's management made a bid for a Mercedes drive in a scheme which would have involved a sensational swap with Lewis Hamilton.

The ploy failed miserably, perhaps because Hamilton - if he was aware of the talks - knew all too well that he would have been abandoning the substance for the shadow.

"There was a try to do this, yes," Alonso told Spanish broadcaster Cadena SER.

"The circumstances for this idea existed but at the time Ferrari did not want it. They were in negotiations to renew with me until 2019, but in the end, Ferrari did not convince me and I went to McLaren-Honda."

Depsite a dismal 2015 season with McLaren and Ferrari's return to form, Alonso dismisses any idea that his leaving the Scuderia was ill-advised.

"I did not want to stay at Ferrari to be third until 2019. They were changing times at Ferrari and I still say that it was the right moment to close a wonderful story for me."

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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.