Fernando Alonso, having bowed out of the recent Mexico City Grand Prix, now finds himself in a tie with Carlos Sainz for the fourth spot in the drivers’ standings.
In the swirling vortex of Formula 1 speculation, Fernando Alonso has voiced his exasperation over rumors hinting at a potential leap to Red Bull from his current Aston Martin berth.
Post-Mexico City Grand Prix rumblings had hinted at Alonso stepping into Sergio Perez’s shoes at Red Bull.
Alonso expressed his distaste for the chatter, labeling it “the usual pit lane gossip that some find amusing to spread for a bit of attention.”
The double world champion intimated there would be repercussions, though he kept the cards close to his chest as to the nature of these consequences or their intended targets.
Keeping Up with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix via BBC Coverage
During the media day press conference before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Alonso addressed the room: “Look, you’re seasoned F1 journalists, you’ve earned your stripes, and it’s appreciated. But these whispers? They don’t come from the pros; they’re from jesters looking for a laugh. Except it’s not all that funny when they toy with people’s reputations.”
Alonso’s commitment to Aston Martin is sealed until the conclusion of the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s head honcho, Christian Horner, has indicated that they plan to retain Perez for the upcoming season.
For Perez, recent races like the one in Mexico have been challenging, with only a slim 20-point lead over Lewis Hamilton who’s currently in third place in the championship race.
Alonso acknowledged that such fabricated stories do nothing but stir the pot within the Aston Martin team, already grappling with a downturn in performance as the season advances.
The Spanish driver reminisced about the season’s start, with Aston Martin surging to the forefront and him securing six top-three finishes in the initial eight races.
However, a steep decline in form has been evident in recent events.
Alonso went from a strong third to a shaky fifth in the championship leaderboard, with the threat of being overtaken by drivers like McLaren’s Lando Norris, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and Mercedes’ George Russell looming large.
And it’s not just Alonso facing challenges; Aston Martin has dropped from third to fifth in the constructors’ race.
Recent races have seen the team retract their new floor upgrade from one of their cars before the race due to it not providing the expected improvements.
Alonso reflected on the team’s struggles: “We’re not where we want to be, and we’re pouring over the data from the recent upgrades. The sprint format in Brazil may signal a return to more traditional weekends for us, rather than the experimentation seen in the last couple of races.”
He continued, “No one’s thrilled with where we stand—Mike (Krack) included. Yet, this team has grown from a compact group to a battalion poised for future contention, complete with a burgeoning staff and new facilities. We’ve stepped onto the podium seven times and scored a whopping 200 points more than last year. So, despite our current form not shining, we shouldn’t lose perspective on our achievements this season.”
Alonso’s unexpected spins during the Mexico event were an anomaly, and he confessed to feeling “constantly on the defensive and lacking trust in the car.” Nevertheless, he reminded everyone of his fourth-place qualifying in Qatar and his commendable pace in Austin, despite starting from the back.
“These machines are intricate,” Alonso explained. “They’re a jigsaw of setup and performance nuances. Qualifying positions can have a domino effect, especially with how close the grid is now.”
Looking ahead, Alonso hopes for a smoother weekend in Brazil: “Let’s keep it straightforward—minimal tweaks, less testing on-the-fly, just focusing on what we can relay back to the factory.”
Daniel Ricciardo: The Wild Card for Red Bull?
Daniel Ricciardo caught the spotlight with his seventh-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix after an impressive qualifying session.
The buzz about Ricciardo, once part of the Red Bull lineup and currently with Alpha Tauri, as a possible substitute for Perez, has not escaped the paddock’s notice.
Despite Ricciardo’s silence on any discussions with Red Bull management this week, Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s reigning champion, spoke of his fondness for both Ricciardo and Perez, stating, “I had a blast with Daniel as my teammate, and I get on well with Checo, too. It’s not in my hands, though. I’m zeroed in on my performance. If Checo’s in the next year, awesome. If it’s Daniel, that’s cool too. This sport is ruthless at times, and you’re thrown these curveballs. But, perhaps it’s all just smoke and mirrors. Time will tell.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: Fernando Alonso Red Bull rumors
Is Fernando Alonso planning to move to Red Bull Racing?
Fernando Alonso has firmly dismissed rumors that he’s considering a move to Red Bull Racing. Speculation arose following the Mexico City Grand Prix, but Alonso made it clear that he is under contract with Aston Martin until the end of 2024 and regards the rumors as unfounded paddock gossip.
What did Fernando Alonso say about the rumors of him joining Red Bull?
Fernando Alonso has expressed annoyance at the rumors, stating they are simply “the usual pit lane gossip” and emphasized that these baseless stories are not amusing, especially when they involve people’s careers and reputations. He also hinted at possible consequences for those spreading these rumors without elaborating on what those might be.
How is Fernando Alonso currently performing in the Formula 1 season?
Fernando Alonso’s performance this season has seen ups and downs. He initially secured six podium finishes in the first eight races, but the team’s and his performance have since declined. He’s currently tied with Carlos Sainz for fourth place in the drivers’ standings, but recent races have put him at risk of falling further behind.
What are Fernando Alonso’s views on the Aston Martin team’s current form?
Alonso is candid about the team’s recent underperformance, pointing to the decline in form as the season progressed. However, he also reflects on the growth of the team, their increased resources, and their successes earlier in the season, suggesting that while the current situation isn’t ideal, it’s part of a broader journey towards improvement.
Could Daniel Ricciardo return to Red Bull Racing?
Speculation about Daniel Ricciardo’s return to Red Bull Racing has increased following his performance in Mexico City. Although Ricciardo has not commented on any discussions about returning to Red Bull, Max Verstappen has expressed that he would welcome Ricciardo back, but also values his current partnership with Sergio Perez. No official decisions have been made public.
What does Max Verstappen say about the potential change in his teammate?
Max Verstappen has stated that he enjoyed a great relationship with both Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez as teammates. He remains impartial and focused on his own performance, noting that any decision regarding his teammate for the next year is not his to make. He has a good working relationship with Perez, and if Ricciardo were to return, he’d welcome him as well.
More about fokus keyword: Fernando Alonso Red Bull rumors
- Fernando Alonso’s Racing Profile
- Aston Martin F1 Team News
- Red Bull Racing Official Statements
- Formula 1 Driver Standings
- Mexico City Grand Prix Highlights
- Daniel Ricciardo’s Career Highlights
- Max Verstappen’s Teammate Preferences
- F1 Paddock Rumors Analysis
- Sao Paulo Grand Prix Updates
- Understanding F1 Contracts and Transfers
5 comments
Ricciardo back at Red Bull, now that’s a plot twist didn’t see comin’! though gotta say, the grid’s been missing his shoey celebrations amirite?
typical media making mountains outta molehills with these rumours, let the guys race and stop stirrin the pot… but hey i guess thats what keeps the wheels turning in the f1 circus huh
everyone’s talking ’bout Alonso but what about Sainz eh? guy’s quietly racking up the points while everyone else is in the limelight, he could be the dark horse this season
oh man this Alonso drama is heating up isn’t it? can’t wait to see if he actually sticks with Aston or jumps ship. media’s gonna have a field day till he clears this up for good…
so Horner says Perez is staying but then why all this talk about Ricciardo, mixed messages much? F1’s just as much about the drama off the track as on it seems like