Red Bull eyeing Alonso as possible Verstappen replacement
26/03/2024 17:07
A report from Germany claims that Red Bull has approached Fernando Alonso to discuss a potential move to the championship winning squad for 2025.
Website F1 Insider states that Christian Horner has touched base with Alonso whose current contract with Aston Martin expires at the end of this season.
Ahead of last weekend's Australian Grand Prix, Alonso reiterated his plan to decide in the coming weeks whether he wants to remain in F1 in 2025 or call it a day on his twenty-year career among motorsport's elite.
Should the Spaniard opt to remain on the grid, he will then weigh his options according to the offers that will come his way.
At 42, the Spaniards cannot be considered as a long-term opportunity for either Mercedes, which needs to fill Lewis Hamilton's vacant seat, or Red Bull to which Sergio Perez is contracted until the end of 2024.
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According to Sky Germany consultant Ralf Schumacher, Red Bull's interest in Alonso's services is part of a contingency plan that could be triggered in the event that Max Verstappen leaves the team, a move speculated upon lately within the context of the power struggle unfolding at Red Bull between Horner and the Verstappen family's camp.
"Horner has always been a very, very big fan of Fernando Alonso," commented Schumacher.
"Apparently there are big intentions in the background to bring Fernando Alonso into the cockpit next year to have another strong driver if Max Verstappen leaves the team.
"If Fernando Alonso were to get to Red Bull at the end of his career, and in a car with which he can win, Alonso would obviously want that.
"And of course, you have to say today you need experienced people, you have to win from the outset.
"Especially at Red Bull, this is something very, very important and I think Fernando Alonso would be a good alternative [to Verstappen]."
Circumstances could lead to an extreme case where F1's most dominant team could have not one but two vacant seats, should Verstappen leave and Red Bull not renew Perez's contract.
In Australia, Horner refused to rule out last weekend's winner Carlos Sainz as a candidate for a seat at the team, regardless of whether Verstappen stays or leaves.
However, it's all conjecture at this point, and the most probable outcome is likely to see both Verstappen and Alonso remain with their current Red Bull and Aston Martin outfits.
In the interim, the rumor mill will continue to spin...
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