“You don’t lose the speed; you lose the need. And he still has the need, and that is why he is able to do it,” said David Coulthard, explaining why 42 years ‘young’ Fernando Alonso works for a race win more than any other driver on the grid. Alonso, while only a 2x champion is someone who had 5-6 titles in him. However, the Spaniard and his choices came in the way of that glory. While things had not looked up for him in a decade and the new generation almost forgot what a great driver he was, the shocking Aston Martin move acted as a beautiful reminder of his greatness. Now, when he stands at a juncture where Mercedes can be a part of his future, Toto Wolff needs to know that he is the best, or as some may argue, a better replacement for Lewis Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso’s biggest USP and why Mercedes needs him

Fernando Alonso has raced in Formula 1 for 22 years, 1 month more than fellow F1 racer Oscar Piastri’s existence on the planet. Why am I giving you this obvious stat? Because in all those years of top-tier racing, he has never been beaten by a teammate. A sport where your biggest competitor is your teammate you have never been dethroned. Imagine! Does that make him the best driver on the grid? Most would argue in the affirmative.

The Aston Martin move shocked the world, and many thought it may be another one of Alonso’s unwise decisions. However, the self-proclaimed anti-hero of the game shook the world when he took podiums in 6 of the first 8 races of the 2023 campaign. This proves that he still has the hunger for it and is only shy of a beastly machine.

WATCH THIS STORY: Fernando Alonso’s Thunderous Warning Echoes: ‘We Will Fight Until the End’ Despite Disappointing British GP, Aston Martin’s Spirits Remain Unbroken

One tends to wonder if this has crossed the mind of Toto Wolff, who is on a hunt for a worthy candidate to take Lewis Hamilton‘s place.

Can Fernando Alonso’s Mercedes move happen?

In Formula 1, you never know what can happen tomorrow. And this is precisely the reason why I won’t rule out this magical move. Because only a driver of Alonso’s stature can fill those big shoes and perhaps do a good enough or better job. Former driver, Christian Darren, had even stated that Toto Wolff would just have to call Fernando and he would be there. Meanwhile, the Samurai philosophy-inspired driver has even given out not-so-subtle hints.

During the launch of the 2024 challenger of Aston Martin, the 2x champion stated as quoted by Marca, “First, I will decide if I want to continue for longer with the total dedication that F1 demands. I need to understand what “I want to do and I will sit down with Aston Martin, who are the priority… If we don’t reach an agreement and I want to continue, I have a privileged position, I am attractive to other teams, there is only one world champion available, and it is me.”

READ MORE: With Visa Cashapp RB Openly Copying Red Bull, Shadow of the ‘Pink Mercedes’ Saga Re-Emerges

Do you think Fernando will be a great fit for the Toto Wolff-led team? I answer that in the affirmative.

Editorial Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of EssentiallySports.