Two-time Formula 1 World Champion and Grand Prix veteran Fernando Alonso has emerged as a potential Red Bull target for 2025, according to recent media reports.
F1 Insider states that Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner is in talks with Alonso to replace the incumbent Sergio Perez and partner Max Verstappen next season.
Alonso, who is in the final term of his current deal with Aston Martin, has been on record as stating that he wants to be “the owner of my destiny” regarding his F1 future.
Given he is now 42, a partnership with Verstappen at Red Bull, F1’s pre-eminent force, would give Alonso one last chance to claim the third Drivers’ title that’s eluded him.
With Perez unable to challenge the Dutchman, an Alonso/Verstappen pairing would create a formidable line-up that strengthens Red Bull but also ignites added drama.
Former six-time F1 race winner Ralf Schumacher is no stranger to fiery driver pairings thanks to his volatile time spent alongside Juan Pablo Montoya at Williams.
And the German, brother of seven-time World Champion Michael, has told Sky Deutschland that “Horner has always been a very, very big fan of Fernando Alonso.”
Schumacher predicts that the speculation revolves around the potential absence of Verstappen from the Austrian outfit, should talk of a shock Mercedes move transpire.
“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].”
Ever since Lewis Hamilton announced his switch to Ferrari for 2025 ahead of the current campaign commencing, the driver market has been an ongoing rumour mill.
The questions linger surrounding where Australian Grand Prix victor Carlos Sainz will head, with Horner refusing to rule out that he could return to the Red Bull stable.
Amid continued rumours over Verstappen’s future, throw in doubts regarding where Alonso’s future lies and F1 could be primed for a tantalising shake-up to the grid.
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