Mercedes considering Fernando Alonso, says team boss

Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement in the aftermath of his maiden world championship win has left the German constructor in the lurch, with Alonso one of the favourites to take the hotseat.

However, that would reunite Alonso with former foe Hamilton, with the pair enduring a strained relationship at McLaren in 2007 – resulting in the Spaniard terminating his contract early.

"You have to consider Fernando," Wolff told Sky Sports. "He is a driver I respect a lot. He combines talent, speed and experience. It's all there."

Alonso is entering the final year of his contract at McLaren, so Mercedes may favour a stop-gap solution to avoid having to buy out his deal.

"He [Alonso] is in a contract with McLaren-Honda at the moment and we just need to weigh all the other options up," Wolff added.

"Both drivers will have equal status and equal opportunity to the best of our abilities. We owe it to the fans. You can't have a pecking order."

Alonso has two world titles to Hamilton's three.