Christian Horner claims Fernando Alonso may have made a surprise move to Red Bull ahead of the 2024 season.
Christian Horner has disclosed that Red Bull had discussions with Fernando Alonso over a potential 2024 Red Bull F1 seat.
The second Red Bull seat has been the topic of much curiosity this year, following Sergio Perez’s troubles last season, but the Mexican has started the season strong, with four podium finishes in the first five races.
Perez was awarded a new two-year contract ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, but his form has deteriorated since, with only 47 points in the 12 races since Imola, with Red Bull considering Liam Lawson as a potential replacement.
Alonso’s contract with Aston Martin was set to expire at the end of the current season, and the two-time champion was said to be considering alternative options, including Red Bull, as Horner revealed the Spanish driver and his manager Flavio Briatore had “tested the market.”
“I remember meeting with him, with Adrian [Newey], in 2011 or 2012 in the back of a hire car at Spa airport about coming across from Ferrari and even at the beginning of this year [we spoke],” Horner told reporters, such as RacingNews365.
“At the time, Sergio’s contract had not been extended, so Fernando, a seasoned operator, is always interested in knowing all of his options.”
“Between him and his manager, Flavio, they’re continually testing the market, which demonstrates how competitive he still is and how he delivers at the age of 43.
“He is still in excellent shape, proving that age is just a number. He is still a very talented grand prix driver, and with the right equipment, I am confident he would be near the front.”
Alonso joins Red Bull
Alonso becomes the first F1 driver to reach 400 grand prix entries in Mexico, with Horner also discussing past attempts to get the two-time F1 champion to Milton Keynes, but how a Ferrari contract made it impossible.
“He is a formidable competitor, and at the end of his first McLaren stint, I remember going to Madrid and pushing for him to get into the car,” Horner told the audience.
“We wanted a two-year contract, but he was only willing to sign for one year, and we were confident he had a Ferrari contract in his back pocket at the time, so we didn’t obtain a deal.
“Had he came to us in 2009, things would have been different; even halfway through 2009, he was confident that if he got into our car, he could still win the title that year.
“It’s astonishing how long he’s been around and how competitive he is, but the numbers for his talent and abilities, with two world championships, do not do him justice. “He should have won more.”
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