Recent developments have stirred the Formula 1 driver market, particularly around Fernando Alonso’s future with Aston Martin amid uncertainty at Red Bull Racing. With the F1 paddock buzzing over Max Verstappen’s rumoured thoughts of exiting the team, Alonso’s commitment to Aston Martin highlights the intricate dynamics at play.
Key Takeaways:
- Fernando Alonso shows a preference for Aston Martin over Mercedes, amidst speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull.
- Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, acknowledges overly discussing Kimi Antonelli, aiming to temper expectations for the rising star.
- Mercedes has outlined a development plan for Antonelli, including testing in Austria and Imola, as they groom him for potential F1 ascension.
The Formula 1 driver market is currently on fire after Lewis Hamilton’s confirmed move to Ferrari in 2025, particularly with the uncertainties clouding Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen’s continued association with the team. This situation has effectively put a pause on movements within the market, as teams and drivers alike await the resolution of Red Bull’s alleged internal power struggle. Despite Red Bull team principal Christian Horner’s confidence in retaining Verstappen, other teams and drivers remain on high alert, poised for any potential shifts.
Amidst this complicated backdrop, Fernando Alonso’s allegiance to Aston Martin becomes particularly noteworthy. Despite the allure of a potential seat with Mercedes, Alonso appears more inclined towards continuing with Aston Martin, according to Formu1a.uno. This preference stems from a desire to see through the technical advancements promised by his current team, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Red Bull’s situation and, let’s face it, Mercedes’ current struggles. In contrast, Carlos Sainz is openly exploring his options, engaging in discussions with multiple teams, including Mercedes, as he needs to replace the seat he’s losing at the Scuderia.
The Aston Martin project looks promising for the Spaniard. While the Silverstone squad is sat in the upper-midfield alongside the likes of McLaren and Mercedes and not in P2 like they were last season, their strong technical team includes the likes of ex-Red Bull aerodynamicist Dan Fallows. His input has put the British machinery on a path similar to that of Red Bull, and this development has seen promising results with the team making a huge jump in 2023. This level of development hasn’t quite held its own this year, but with another upgrade established at the Japanese Grand Prix – again, one that suggests they’re still looking to emulate the RB19 and RB29 – Aston could indeed make another jump, albeit after a questionable qualifying session from its drivers. Lance Stroll, for example, didn’t make it to Q2, making this the fourth race weekend in a row where he’s been out-qualified by his experienced teammate.
Now, if a Red Bull seat opened up for the Spaniard, then I would assume he’d be very interested.
“If Max leaves Red Bull, maybe that has an impact (on me) but I think there is zero chance of that happening,” Alonso admitted.
But Max Verstappen wasn’t such a fan of the idea:
“I don’t care who sits next to me. I also said that to the team,” he told De Limburger. “I always believe in myself and in my opinion, I am the boss of everyone.
“But if you ask me, I would find it strange to sign a 42-year-old driver. Red Bull has always had the tradition of training young drivers itself. The signing of Sergio Pérez was a departure from that trend, especially with a 42-year-old driver.
“I can get along with Fernando very well, that’s not the issue, but I am also looking at the future of the team. Ultimately, it is up to them (Red Bull) to determine who drives where.”
