Rumors: Horner and Alonso had talks

Rumors that Red Bull Racing are considering Fernando Alonso as one of the leading candidates for a place in the 2025 team are gaining new details.

We have already quoted Ralf Schumacher’s opinion on this issue, and also explained the position of another analyst, Mark Hughes, who commented in detail on this scenario. Now the Dutch press writes that it is very likely: according to De Telegraaf, Christian Horner and Fernando Alonso were in ‘serious negotiations’.

However, one fundamentally important detail remains ruled out for the time being: is the Spaniard considered a likely partner for Max Verstappen, or can he take the place of the three-time world champion? It is also worth adding that last week a meeting was held in Dubai with the participation of Red Bull’s senior management, at which Horner was promised that in the future he would have full power in the team. But Helmut Marko, it seems, is going to enjoy a well-deserved rest – De Telegraaf also writes about this.

So far, of course, these are all nothing more than rumors, including rumors that Adrian Newey has received a very tempting financial offer from Lawrence Stroll, the owner of the Aston Martin team.

And here’s another element of the big picture: Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen reportedly had dinner in Australia with Chaleo Juvidya, the Thai billionaire who has a controlling stake in Red Bull. The Spanish press suggests that the management of the three-time world champion has set a condition: if Horner remains sports director, Max will leave.

In this context, the version of Stroll’s attempt to lure Adrian Newey, the most successful racing car designer in Formula 1 history, seems quite logical – in the sense that Max can then try on the Aston Martin uniform. Of course, Newey’s opinion on this matter is not yet known to anyone.

For the time being, only the long-standing knowledge of Horner and Alonso can be regarded as fact, as well as the fact that the head of Red Bull Racing already tried to invite the Spaniard to his team in the past, but that did not work. .

This is what the Spanish newspaper Marca writes about this: “Horner is thus ready to play a strong card, namely to bet on Fernando, his friend and admirer of Newey’s talent, and this is a win-win move, allowing him shows the Verstappen clan that he de facto already has or can have full power, and above all can sign contracts without consulting anyone, including Marco.

So if Max doesn’t want to continue working with Red Bull Racing, then there will be another champion who, even in his forties, races like a twenty-year-old. And in 2025 he could be behind the wheel of a car with which he can fight for a third title.”

Whatever scenario the further events will follow, one thing is certain: the season will be rich in all kinds of interesting stories, but not all of them will be related to purely sports matters.