Formula 1's Latest Rumours and Talk: Alonso and Mercedes, Button Wedding, More
Fernando Alonso could be set to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2016.
The German outfit's team principal, Toto Wolff, has publicly named the Spaniard as his first-choice back-up should Hamilton decide to leave. Valtteri Bottas is also mentioned as an option.
Alonso's new McLaren team-mate has also been in the news, but for a very different reason. Jenson Button and Jessica Michibata have married in a ceremony in Hawaii after six years together.
Elsewhere, Daniel Ricciardo hopes he'll deal with the lows as well as he has coped with the highs, Ferrari youngster Raffaele Marciello has signed a test and reserve driver deal with Sauber and Jules Bianchi's battle to recover from severe head injuries continues.
Read on for a full roundup of the week's news.
Toto Wolff Says Fernando Alonso Is First Choice Lewis Hamilton Replacement
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Toto Wolff has revealed Fernando Alonso is his first choice replacement should Lewis Hamilton decide to leave Mercedes at the end of 2015.
The Brit claimed his second world championship at November's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. But despite saying a new deal was a "formality" in an interview with Sky Sports after his title triumph, nothing has yet been signed.
Now Wolff has indicated he is looking at alternatives should no contract be agreed—with Alonso and Valtteri Bottas at the top of his list.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Michele Lostia at Autosport for the English translation), "I'm optimistic, the priority is to carry on with these drivers. Should it be impossible, then Alonso represents the top alternative, followed by [Valtteri] Bottas."
Of Alonso, he added, "He is a dangerous rival with any car. If he is at the wheel of a car that can finish sixth, he will take it to third place."
Alonso recently signed a three-year contract with McLaren which will run until the end of 2017, but James Allen reported he may have numerous get-out clauses should the Honda-powered team fail to produce a competitive car.
If the MP4-30 is a dog and a seat at Mercedes crops up, it's difficult to see him turning it down.
As to whether or not such a seat may become available?
One can only assume Wolff has said this for a reason. With no guarantees Mercedes will still be on top in 2016 and that all-important second championship in his pocket, Hamilton may be looking to move on—especially if he wins a third title this term.
Jenson Button and Jessica Michibata Marry in Hawaii
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Jenson Button and Jessica Michibata have married during a winter break in Hawaii.
The 2009 world champion confirmed the news on Twitter, with British newspaper the Mirror tweeting photographs taken at the ceremony:
"Congratulations! Jenson Button marries Jessica Michibata in surprise ceremony in Hawaii http://t.co/lgNrvEAoxj pic.twitter.com/ga79tdenXX
— Mirror Celeb (@MirrorCeleb) January 1, 2015"
Button has had a trying year both personally and professionally.
His father John, a regular in his son's pit garage, passed away in January. Button's pink helmet, which he began to wear at the British Grand Prix and decided to keep, became a lasting tribute to the former rallycross ace.
On the track, McLaren's MP4-29 was another disappointment and Button was left in limbo as the team dithered over their driver choice for 2015.
But he was eventually chosen to partner Fernando Alonso. His marriage to Jessica, his partner since 2008, means a year which began in such difficult circumstances ended with some well-deserved happiness.
Daniel Ricciardo Expecting Inevitable Lows After Highs of 2014
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Daniel Ricciardo says he cannot expect his excellent run of form to last forever but hopes he is able to cope with future dips if and when they come.
Speaking to Autosport, he said:
"I am riding a pretty big wave at the moment and I am sure, eventually, that will come down and then back up—but that's normal. I think controlling your bad days as best as possible, or the times when maybe the car is a complete box the whole weekend [is important].
It is about controlling your emotions and not getting too frustrated with it—just finding ways to drive around it and accepting that, OK you are not going to win, but a fifth would still be better than a 10th, so try and get fifth.
"
He added:
"It is always easier said than done. Particularly now I have won a few races, if I am running around fifth or sixth I am not really happy with that.
So, it's easy to get frustrated and want more, but that is where it gets tough and you sometimes have to take a step back and deal with what it is and never lose your confidence or belief.
"
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner revealed in December to the BBC that he thought Ricciardo's brilliant and, to many, surprising displays in 2014 were a factor in Sebastian Vettel's decision to leave for Ferrari.
The four-time world champion was often made to look ordinary by a driver few rated as a genuine star of the future. Ricciardo won three races to Vettel's none, while the points count was 238 to 167 in the Australian's favour.
With the Renault power unit again unlikely to be a match for Mercedes in 2015, Ricciardo won't be challenging for the title on pace alone this season.
But if he can repeat his performances of 2014 and continue to be in the right place at the right time, there's no reason to believe he won't add to his victory tally if the Silver Arrows keep slipping up.
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Jules Bianchi Undergoing Rehabilitation Therapy in France
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Jules Bianchi has started rehabilitation therapy as his battle to recover from head injuries sustained in a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix continues.
A statement issued by his parents on Bianchi's official Facebook page said:
"It was a significant and very comforting step for us to be able to bring Jules home to France last month, to continue his rehabilitation surrounded by his family and friends. This is very important for Jules and also for us.
Since that time, Jules has received the very best treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (CHU) and now at the CHU’s rehabilitation centre for this kind of trauma.
Jules’ neurological status remains unchanged; he is unconscious but able to breathe unaided. Whilst there is no significant information to report, we take a great deal of comfort from the fact that Jules continues to fight, as we knew he would, and this has enabled the medical professionals caring for him to commence the planned, but very painstaking, programme of rehabilitation therapy.
"
The Marussia driver suffered a diffuse axonal injury after going off in the wet and colliding with a recovery vehicle at Suzuka in October. He was flown back to his native France in November, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.
Raffaele Marciello Joins Sauber as Test and Reserve Driver
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Raffaele Marciello has joined Sauber as their test and reserve driver for the 2015. He will combine the role with another full season in the GP2 feeder series.
"I'm really happy..big thanks to @ScuderiaFerrari @insideFDA and @SauberF1Team ..Now push. Happy new year. #ForzaJules
— R.Mar #ForzaJules (@R_Marciello) December 31, 2014"
He follows in the footsteps of Felipe Massa, another Ferrari protege who took his first steps on the F1 ladder with the Swiss outfit.
In a statement on the team website, team principal Monisha Kaltenborn confirmed the Ferrari Driver Academy star will get his first taste of a race weekend running during the season. She said:
"We are pleased to announce Raffaele Marciello as our test and reserve driver for the 2015 season. He proved his great talent in junior formulas, and his season in the European Formula 3 Championship with 13 wins and the title victory was particularly impressive.
We will give Raffaele the opportunity to become familiar with Formula One, which also includes him taking part in some free practice sessions on Friday. It’s great for our team to be part of his way to Formula One.
"
Marciello said:
"I am really pleased to become a member of the Sauber F1 Team, which has a long tradition of building up excellent drivers. I really think that this is the best choice for my future career.
I am also happy to compete for one more season in the GP2 Series, which, together with my new F1 role, will give me a very busy 2015 season. I want to thank the Ferrari Driver Academy for giving me this important opportunity, and now I really can’t wait to start delivering my best.
"
Expectations were high as Marciello entered GP2 at the start of 2014 after winning the European F3 series the year before.
But though he won the Belgian feature race in wet conditions and stood on the podium four times, the Italian was not one of the series' stand-out performers. He'll need to do more in 2015 to show he deserves to step up to the big time.
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