Niki Lauda: 'Fernando Alonso not on Mercedes wish list'

Niki Lauda watches the action during final practice ahead of the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 7, 2014
© Getty Images
Niki Lauda deals a blow to Fernando Alonso's chances of switching to Mercedes next year.

Niki Lauda has dealt a blow to Fernando Alonso's chances of switching to Mercedes next year.

Earlier, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff said that the Spaniard could not be ruled out for 2018, but pointed to Alonso's historically problematic character and past run-ins with Lewis Hamilton.

Alonso, 35, has said that he might be on the move at the end of the year, as his three-year contract with struggling McLaren-Honda finally runs out.

However, Mercedes team chairman Lauda told Swiss newspaper Blick: "[Alonso] is certainly not on our wish list.

"We are fully satisfied with Hamilton and [Valtteri] Bottas. But as my partner Toto Wolff has said - never say never."

Alonso is sitting out this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix to compete in the Indy 500.

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes walks in the paddock during previews to the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya on May 12, 2016
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1Mercedes161
2Ferrari153
3Red Bull72
4Force India53
5Toro Rosso21
6Williams-Mercedes18
7Renault14
8Haas9
9Sauber4
10McLaren0
DriversTeamPoints
1Sebastian VettelFerrari104
2Lewis HamiltonMercedes98
3Valtteri BottasMercedes63
4Kimi RaikkonenFerrari49
5Daniel RicciardoRed Bull37
6Max VerstappenRed Bull35
7Sergio PerezForce India34
8Esteban OconForce India19
9Felipe MassaWilliams-Mercedes18
10Carlos SainzToro Rosso17
11Nico HulkenbergRenault14
12Romain GrosjeanHaas5
13Kevin MagnussenHaas4
14Pascal WehrleinSauber4
15Daniil KvyatToro Rosso4
16Lance StrollWilliams-Mercedes0
17Marcus EricssonSauber0
18Jolyon PalmerRenault0
19Stoffel VandoorneMcLaren0
20Fernando AlonsoMcLaren0
21Antonio GiovinazziSauber0