Fernando Alonso was reportedly in talks to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull before ultimately signing a new contract with Aston Martin. The current Formula 1 season will see the contracts of many drivers expire, creating uncertainty surrounding the future lineup of teams. Alonso’s potential move to Red Bull was a topic of speculation, but it seems that the team was not in favor of this decision. Red Bull’s advisor, Helmut Marko, believed that having Alonso as Max Verstappen’s teammate would not result in smooth operations within the team. Marko emphasized the importance of finding a teammate who could work in harmony with the three-time world champion.
Now, Alonso has secured a multi-year deal with Aston Martin, leaving the second seat at Red Bull still unconfirmed. This has led to other competitors eyeing the opportunity to join the team. While the rumors of Alonso joining Red Bull have been put to rest, there are still speculations surrounding another Spanish driver. Placing Fernando Alonso alongside Max Verstappen would bring together two world champions, but Marko believes that this dynamic would not be feasible for the Red Bull team. He highlighted the generational difference between their respective World Championships and the potential setbacks caused by their different work dynamics. Verstappen’s interest in sim racing, regardless of the race weekend, is something that Alonso does not share.
Despite these differences, Helmut Marko expressed his admiration for both drivers’ driving styles and personalities. The 80-year-old is eager to find a driver who can serve as the ideal teammate to Max Verstappen in the foreseeable future.