Alonso linked with Alpine return as fresh report sparks Aston Martin, Williams and 2027 Formula 1 driver market speculation – The Formula 1 summer break has once again shifted attention away from the racetrack and towards the driver market, with a fresh report claiming Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and Franco Colapinto could all be involved in a major three-team reshuffle for the 2027 season.
According to Japanese website Auto Sport Web, Alonso is being linked with a return to Alpine, a move that could trigger Carlos Sainz’s switch from Williams to Aston Martin and open the door for Colapinto to return to Williams.
While much of the recent speculation has centred on Max Verstappen’s future, the report suggests the first major movement in Formula 1’s driver market could instead come from the midfield. However, none of the claims have been confirmed by the teams or drivers involved.
Report claims Fernando Alonso has an exit clause at Aston Martin
According to Auto Sport Web, Alonso’s current Aston Martin contract contains an exit clause linked to the team’s sporting performance this season.
The report claims the two-time Formula 1 world champion has not achieved the minimum results required under the agreement, potentially allowing him to leave before the contract expires.
While comparisons have been made to the widely discussed performance clause in Max Verstappen’s Red Bull deal, the report does not specify the exact conditions attached to Alonso’s contract.
The Spaniard, who returned to Aston Martin in 2023 after two seasons with Alpine, has repeatedly stated publicly that he intends to continue racing as long as he remains competitive.
Alpine reunion reportedly under discussion
The report also claims Alonso is already in talks with Alpine over a sensational return to the Enstone-based team, where he won both of his Formula 1 world championships in 2005 and 2006.
Auto Sport Web states there is a “good chance” Alonso could finish his Formula 1 career with his former team. It also suggests the move could be helped financially by luxury fashion brand Gucci, which the publication claims is set to become Alpine’s title sponsor from the 2027 season.
Neither Alpine nor Alonso has commented publicly on the report.
The publication further alleges that Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore has informed Franco Colapinto to begin exploring alternative opportunities. Colapinto is currently racing for Alpine on loan from Williams, and the report claims the French team could simply choose not to continue with the arrangement beyond the current agreement.
Carlos Sainz tipped as Aston Martin replacement
Should Alonso depart Aston Martin, Auto Sport Web believes Carlos Sainz would emerge as one of the leading candidates to replace him.
Sainz joined Williams ahead of the 2026 season following his departure from Ferrari and has been viewed as a cornerstone of the Grove team’s long-term project. However, the report suggests Aston Martin could attempt to lure the Spaniard should a vacancy arise.
That scenario would also pave the way for Colapinto to return to Williams, creating a three-way driver shuffle involving Aston Martin, Alpine and Williams for 2027.
At this stage, the speculation remains unconfirmed, with no official announcements from any of the teams involved. Nevertheless, with the Formula 1 summer break traditionally providing fertile ground for driver market rumours, attention is likely to remain firmly fixed on Alonso, Sainz and Colapinto as preparations continue for the 2027 season.
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Seriously?!
After two decades of Alonso and Newey dancing around the paddock just missing possible partnerships Fernando is going to skip away? Again?
Just as AM and Newey are at the beginning of a glorious comeback.
Must be REALLY boring motor sport in Japan this week.
OTOH, maybe Flavio has convinced Gucci to buy the 25% of Renault shares coming on the market and transfer it to him (and Alonso) at favored alumni pricing. In exchange, Alonso drives for free AND takes over as TP in the very near future!
Plus he could finally win a GP and maybe a WDC with a MBZ engine despite the legendary MBZ “Alonso blackball”. He’d have wins with three different major engine OEM’s. And four, counting Porsche at LeMans.
Indeed only a boring motor sport week there as this claim simply doesn’t have any foundation whatsoever, not to mention Alpine wouldn’t hire a driver only for a single season anyway.
That website couldn’t be more wrong, not to mention it isn’t exactly known for being reliable about driver market reporting, like AMuS, the single most reliable publication for this purpose, which hasn’t reported anything like this.
Alonso will definitely end his career at Aston Martin, especially since he intends to continue there in a non-driving capacity afterwards; hence, the only question is whether he quits after this or next season, i.e., more likely the latter.
Besides, just like Audi, Alpine is also happy with its current drivers, not to mention Colapinto isn’t even there ‘on loan’ since Alpine explicitly bought out his Williams contract by providing financial compensation for its early termination, specifically to receive his services, as no team would ever buy out a driver to serve another team, & Williams already has Luke Browning on its books, who’s the clear cut successor in any departure scenario for either Sainz or Albon, or they wouldn’t have bothered to try & arrange him a drive in Super Formula in the first place.
All in all, F1 once again features too many claims that are unrealistic or contradictory.
In reality, Camara replacing Ocon is the only change to be expected based on the current direction of travel.