Alonso would be ideal choice but...

FERNANDO Alonso’s move to Mercedes appears to have been scuppered by his role in the Spygate scandal of 2007.

The Spaniard was implicated in the illicit transfer of 780 pages of

MISTRUST: Mercedes have not forgotten the Spygate scandal

Ferrari technical documents to the then Mercedes-McLaren team in the saga that cost them a record sporting fine of US$100 million (RM444 million).

Mercedes’ reputation was deeply damaged and Alonso left after a single fractious season.

Although he is back at McLaren (who are now backed by Honda), Mercedes have not forgotten it as they seek a team-mate for Lewis Hamilton to replace retired world champion Nico Rosberg.

“In some ways Fernando would be ideal for the job,” said Bernie Ecclestone, the sport’s chief executive. “But there might be too much history for it to work.”

Another possible Mercedes target, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, already distanced himself from the vacancy.

If Mercedes cannot get a big name, or opt for a quiet life with a clear No 2 to Hamilton, Williams’ Valtteri Bottas is a strong contender. He is managed by Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, and his team are supplied by Merc engines.

Wolff may offer Williams a cheaper engine deal as well as Mercedes’ junior driver Pascal Wehrlein to fill the vacancy Bottas’s move would create.

Mercedes expect to name their new line-up before Christmas.

Meanwhile, McLaren have no fears about losing Fernando Alonso to Mercedes, the team’s new executive director Zak Brown said on Monday.

“We have a contract with Fernando and he’s very happy,” the American told Sky Sports. “Obviously, he wants to be winning races, as do we, but I am not worried about that scenario (leaving). “We are very comfortable where we are at.”

McLaren have not won a race since 2012 and have under-performed since the start of their new partnership with Honda in 2015, finishing sixth overall this year and ninth out of 10 teams in 2015.

Alonso has been disappointed by their lack of success. He is due to partner Belgian rookie Stoffel Vandoorne next year. Agencies