Fernando Alonso has rejected claims from Lewis Hamilton that joining Ferrari was his ‘childhood dream’.

The seven-time world champion shook the Formula One world earlier this month by announcing that he would leave Mercedes at the end of the season to join the sport’s most famous team.

Hamilton said that he would be fulfilling a childhood dream when he drives for Ferrari next season.

Alonso, who raced for Ferrari between 2010 and 2014, has cast doubt on former team-mate Hamilton’s ambitions, as he spoke at the launch of his new Aston Martin car for the upcoming season.

‘It was not his childhood dream 12 months ago, no? Or two months ago, I guess. It was a different dream,’ the Spaniard told reporters.

Fernando Alonso has questioned claims from Lewis Hamilton that joining Ferrari was his ‘childhood dream’

Hamilton will drive alongside Charles Leclerc (right) at Ferrari – leaving a seat free at Mercedes

Alonso has appeared to throw his name in the hat to replace Hamilton at Mercedes

‘I hope he enjoys the experience. I think it’s a very special team. But it’s more special when you win… It’s few years already [since] they have a very fast car and they were fighting for big things.

‘Maybe Lewis can bring that extra to fight for the championship because the car is there.’

Alonso is a two-time world champion but has not won a race since the 2013 season, as he has rarely had a car since then that can compete for victories.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari opens up a space at Mercedes, who before Red Bull’s recent dominance with Max Verstappen, won seven consecutive drivers’ championships – six for Hamilton and one for Nico Rosberg.

Alonso, who turns 43 this year, has appeared to throw his name in the hat for the Mercedes drive – with his contract at Aston Martin expiring at the end of the season.

‘I am aware of my situation which is very unique. There are only three world champions on the grid and I am the only one available for 2025, so I am in a good position.

‘On a move to Mercedes, there has been nothing at all. I know the driver market has started earlier this year, but this will not affect me in terms of preparing for the season.

‘If I want to keep racing beyond this year, the first and only talk at the beginning will be Aston Martin. I trust this project and that will be my first priority.

Alonso was speaking at the launch of his 2024 Aston Martin challenger (pictured)

Alonso and Hamilton were team-mates at McLaren during the Brit’s first year in the sport

Alonso says he would be an ‘attractive’ candidate to replace Hamilton (pictured) next year

‘But if we cannot reach an agreement I know that I am attractive to other teams. I will not stay in Formula One just to have fun. I am not that kind of person and not that kind of driver. Let’s see what the options are.’

Alonso showed why he is still one of the sport’s best drivers in 2023, finishing fourth in the championship after taking eight podium finishes.

Alonso scored six podiums in the opening eight rounds and might have ended his 10-year wait for victory had his team’s strategy been more on point at the rain-hit Monaco Grand Prix.

The Silverstone-based team’s form fell away in the second half of the year but Alonso continued to out-perform his machinery, taking further podiums in the Netherlands and Brazil.

Alonso will become the first driver in history to take part in 400 races across his career this season.