Last Updated on October 26 2024, 8:45 am
As Fernando Alonso’s 400th Grand Prix milestone arrives, the story appears to highlight recent negotiations with Red Bull as Horner further reveals several Red Bull missed chances to sign Alonso: “We wanted a two-year deal” – This weekend marks a significant milestone for Fernando Alonso as he celebrates his 400th Grand Prix in Formula One at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Known for his enduring presence in the sport, Alonso has raced for five different teams and made a total of 397 starts, missing three races due to various circumstances in Belgium (2001), Indianapolis (2005) and Russia (2019). Over the years, Alonso has been tantalisingly close to joining the Red Bull Racing Team on several occasions, according to team principal Christian Horner.
Despite Alonso’s extensive career and considerable talent, his path has never crossed with Red Bull, a fact that Horner reflects on as a missed opportunity. Speaking about Alonso’s monumental career and contributions, Horner gave an insight into the negotiations and close calls between the two parties throughout Alonso’s racing career.
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The first almost: Red Bull’s early courtship of Alonso in 2008
After Alonso’s first stint with McLaren ended in 2008, Red Bull saw an opportunity to bring the Spaniard on board.According to Horner, the team were eager to negotiate and had even travelled to Madrid to woo Alonso with a two-year contract offer.
“He is a formidable competitor,” said Horner. “We wanted a two-year contract, but he was only prepared to sign for one year.”
Horner believes Alonso’s reluctance was due to his likely plans with Ferrari, which he suspects were already in motion.
“We were convinced that he already had a Ferrari contract in the pipeline at that point. That’s why we didn’t do a deal,” explains Horner.
He now sees the failed partnership as a missed opportunity for both sides, and ponders how different things could have been had Alonso joined Red Bull in 2009.
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Could Alonso have stopped Brawn GP’s dominance in 2009?
The timing of Alonso’s potential move to Red Bull would have coincided with a turning point in Formula One.
At the start of 2009, Brawn GP, led by Jenson Button, dominated the grid with six wins in the first seven races due to a technical advantage. However, their lead began to wane midway through the season as their funding dried up following Honda’s departure from the team. In the second half of the season, Brawn struggled to keep up with the competition, managing just two podium finishes, although Button eventually won the championship.
Horner recalls Alonso’s optimism at the time, noting, “Even halfway through the 2009 season, he was convinced he could still win the title that year if he got into our car.”
Meanwhile, Alonso had committed himself to Renault for another year before finally moving to Ferrari, where he experienced years of frustration trying to compete with Red Bull’s growing dominance and Sebastian Vettel’s four consecutive world championships.
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2011-2012: A rental car rendezvous and another Red Bull near miss
As Alonso’s frustrations at Ferrari grew, Horner and Red Bull considered a second chance to sign him. In 2011 or 2012, Horner recalls meeting Alonso and Red Bull’s chief technical officer, Adrian Newey, in a rental car at Spa airport to discuss a possible move from Ferrari to Red Bull.
Despite these discussions, Alonso remained with Ferrari, leaving the potential Red Bull “dream team” unfulfilled. However, Alonso is now set to work with Newey as the renowned designer moves to Aston Martin, Alonso’s current team, in 2025.
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Even in 2024, Alonso’s name has resurfaced as a potential Red Bull recruit. At the start of the season there was talk of Alonso taking over the seat currently occupied by Sergio Perez, with Perez’s contract extension up for grabs. Horner describes Alonso as a “sophisticated guy” who is constantly evaluating his options in the sport.
Working closely with his manager, Flavio Briatore, Alonso has kept himself in the conversation for top seats.
For Horner, this relentless drive reflects Alonso’s hunger and competitiveness, even as he approaches his mid-40s.
“He is still in great shape and shows that age is just a number. So yes, he’s still a very capable Grand Prix driver and with the right tools I’m sure he’d be at the top,” commented Horner.
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Fernando Alonso’s endurance and statistics: a legacy beyond titles
Alonso’s longevity and competitiveness remain a marvel to Horner and many in the paddock. Despite only having two world titles to his name, Horner believes Alonso’s talent and achievements deserve greater recognition.
“Two world championships does not do him justice. He should have more than that,” said Horner, highlighting Alonso’s consistent presence and drive throughout his extensive career.
Alonso’s 400th Grand Prix is a moment to reflect on his legacy in the sport. For Horner, the missed opportunity to work with Alonso not once, but several times, only adds to the intrigue surrounding the Spaniard’s storied career. As Alonso continues to compete at the highest level, fans and teams alike can only speculate about what might have been had he joined forces with Red Bull and its powerhouse team.
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With Sauber yet to confirm a contract extension, Bottas, now 35, has begun considering his options, including the prospect of joining Mercedes in a reserve role – a move that could potentially pave the way for Mick Schumacher’s return to the F1 grid.
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Currently in limbo at Sauber, Bottas faces the very real possibility of not having a confirmed seat for the 2025 F1 season.
When asked about his prospects, Bottas confirmed that a return to Mercedes could be on the table.
“It’s certainly…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
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