Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has confirmed that two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso explored the possibility of joining Red Bull this year through preliminary discussions, effectively “testing the market.”
While the idea of Fernando Alonso and Red Bull joining forces has long been the subject of speculation, it wasn’t publicly known until now that the two parties had actually connected in 2024.
At the start of the current Formula 1 championship, Red Bull’s lineup already included Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez under contract, yet Fernando Alonso reached out to explore potential opportunities.
“Well, at that time, Sergio’s contract hadn’t been extended. So as Fernando is a seasoned operator, you know, he always wants to know all of his options. Between him and his manager or advisor of many years, Flavio Briatore, they’re always, you know, testing the market. It just shows how hungry and competitive he is. He’s still delivering at 43 years of age. He’s still in great shape and it just shows that age is just a number. He’s still a very, very capable grand prix driver and given the tools, I’m sure he’d be at the front.” – the Red Bull team principal explained during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.
Instead, the former Ferrari and McLaren driver chose to commit his future to Aston Martin by signing a new contract that will keep him with the team through the end of 2026 Formula 1 championship. This decision likely means that the two-time Formula 1 champion will conclude his career without ever having driven for Red Bull, despite multiple close calls over the years. Christian Horner has shared insights into the instances when Fernando Alonso nearly joined Red Bull, providing a glimpse into the almost-partnerships that ultimately never materialized.
Leave a Reply