Helmut Marko has dismissed the rumours linking Fernando Alonso with a sensational move to join reigning constructor champions Red Bull for the 2024 season. The Aston Martin driver has been at the centre of speculation in the paddock ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend.
The rumours kicked off after Spanish journalist Albert Fabrega teased an unspecified major change in the world of F1 after the Mexican Grand Prix. With the subject of the speculation left a mystery, fans and fellow paddock journalists were allowed to run wild with many suggesting that Alonso’s future was the source of the shock.
The issue of Alonso’s future was raised off the back of a miserable outing in Mexico City last weekend. The two-time world champion was forced to retire for the second race in succession due to mechanical issues, while team-mate Lance Stroll also failed to take the chequered flag.
When asked about the speculation linking Alonso to Red Bull, Marko told F1 Insider: “As for the rumours about Alonso, I can well imagine that Alonso spread them himself because his results with Aston Martin have been very disappointing recently after the brilliant start to the season.
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“It wouldn’t be the first time that he used his home media to create a mood. Once again and for the record, we only have sporting goals in mind that we will keep ourselves busy with until the last race in Abu Dhabi. And they are that we want to win all the races and make it clear to Perez that he is runner-up.”
The catalyst for any late drama in the 2023 driver market will stem from Sergio Perez, although Marko’s comments reiterated that the back-to-back constructor champions intend to retain the Mexican’s services for the final year of his contract, despite a tumultuous end to the campaign.
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Alonso also offered his opinion on the drama, stating: “It is just rumours, normal paddock rumours, from people that are just trying to make fun of it and gain some followers, and these kinds of things. But I’m not into that game.”
The experienced Spaniard remains committed to the Aston Martin project, with whom he is contracted for a further two seasons, taking him to the end of the current regulation period.
While Alonso is still determined, the Silverstone-based team have work to do. Despite starting the season with what was comfortably the second-fastest car on pace, Aston Martin have slumped to fifth in the standings with three races remaining on the calendar.
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