Pair of wild Alonso rumours addressed with Red Bull switch quashed

The F1 rumour mill was sent into overdrive following the Mexico City Grand Prix amid speculation on social media that was prompted by some cryptic tweets from journalists in the paddock. 

After a nightmare home race for Sergio Perez, there were suggestions that Red Bull could be planning an audacious swoop for Alonso to take the under-pressure Mexican’s place and join forces with Max Verstappen. 

But a blockbuster switch has been dismissed as a “non-starter” that is “not going to happen”, according to Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater. 

“Can we get rid of the elephant in the room, which is Fernando Alonso potentially going to Red Bull next year to partner Max Veratappen? My understanding is that is a non-starter, that is not going to happen,” Slater told the Sky Sports F1 podcast. 

“As much as they admire Alonso at Red Bull and what he can do, he is not above Ricciardo as far as I understand it, as an option to drive for that team next year. 

“This is not coming officially from the team, or anything like that. But it’s been out there on the internet and that is not going to happen, as I understand it. 

“From what I can gather, some senior, well-placed people have told me that maybe Alonso’s management have been doing their due-diligence again, and have been assessing are there any other potentially better options for him next year. 

“Perhaps that has been inflated into ‘he’s going to take Perez’s seat’ rather than Ricciardo is. But I have it on pretty good authority that there’s no chance of that.” 

Slater also addressed rumours that Alonso is considering retiring at the end of the season amid Aston Martin’s dramatic slump in form. 

“The other question is, is he going to retire? Is he so pessimistic about Aston Martin next year that he might not carry on," he said. 

“As far as I understand, the appetite for Aston Martin to continue with Alonso is pretty strong too. 

“Nor do I understand that there’s any prospect of Lawrence Stroll selling up and quitting there either, which has been a popular line of online exploration. 

“I think most likely he will continue with Aston Martin next year as far as I can ascertain at this point what’s going to go on there.”