The paths of two-time champion Fernando Alonso and Red Bull often crossed during the Spaniard’s career, but without yielding the hoped-for results for either side. The most recent occasion was during the last season, before the driver decided to stay with Aston Martin and the Austrian team chose to give Sergio Perez one final opportunity, which the Mexican ultimately squandered.
In a recent interview reported by ‘GPBlog.com,’ team principal Christian Horner revisited all the moments when the two parties came close but never managed to reach an agreement.
Christian Horner: “Fernando Alonso was convinced he could win with us in 2009”
It starts with negotiations in 2008: “We wanted him to sign a two-year contract, but he was only willing to sign for one year. We were convinced he already had an agreement with Ferrari. If he had joined us in 2009, things might have gone slightly differently. Fernando was certain that if he got into our car in 2009, even midway through the season, he could still win the championship.” That year, Jenson Button claimed the title with Brawn GP, beating Sebastian Vettel by an 11-point margin.
Around 2011-2012, Red Bull made another attempt: “I remember meeting him with Adrian (Newey). We were in the back of a rental car at Spa-Francorchamps airport, but he chose Ferrari again.”
“Our last meeting was this year,” Christian Horner said, confirming the rumors circulating at the start of 2024. “He’s an incredible driver. He’s had a very long career and has maintained great competitiveness. He has immense talent, and the two titles he’s won don’t do him justice. He should have won more.”
Had the Spaniard joined Red Bull in 2009, not only could he have won his third title that year, but he might also have been able to challenge Sebastian Vettel in the following years, increasing his tally of championship seasons. Could he have won all the championships from 2010 to 2013, or would he have shared them with Sebastian? Christian Horner’s words, “If he had joined us in 2009, things might have gone slightly differently,” certainly leave us with some doubts.
Leave a Reply