Fernando Alonso has been tipped to join Red Bull in 2025 by former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, with reports in Germany suggesting a deal is closed to being finalized for the Aston Martin star.
The German media have claimed that Alonso‘s possible move to Red Bull in 2025 is already at an ‘advanced’ stage after holding talks with the two-time world champion.
Whether this is intended to further undermine the authority of team principal Christian Horner in his internal battle with Helmut Marko and Jos Verstappen, as well as the sporting management at the company’s Austrian headquarters, is unclear.
But Schumacher, the brother of F1 icon Michael Schumacher, says Horner has long been an admirer of Alonso and wants an experienced driver if Verstappen leaves for Mercedes.
“Horner has always been a big fan of his,” Ralf Schumacher told Sky Sports F1. “He seems to be serious about signing Alonso for next year, to have another strong driver if Verstappen leaves the team,”
He also rubbed salt into the wound of Max‘s possible departure to Mercedes by claiming that Alonso, 42, would be the front-runner from 2026 if Verstappen departs. However, the Dutchman says at every opportunity that “my intention is to fulfil my contract until 2028”, and most recently did so on Thursday in Australia.
“It’s not just a mind game. There are these rumours and the sources are pretty good,” Schumacher added. “If Red Bull gave him a car he could win with, of course Alonso would want it!
“And you saw what he did this weekend, how fast he was, how he changed gears, how he stopped Russell from overtaking him. He knows what he wants and I think he’d be a good fit.”
Is the deal done?
F1 Insider have reported that a deal is already done, with experienced reporter Ralf Bach claiming the Spaniard is the ‘preferred candidate’ for Horner, who retains the support of their majority shareholder.
Marko is keen to see his philosophy of filling Red Bull‘s driver positions from the pool of young talent continue, with talents such as Yuki Tsunoda waiting for promotion.
However, his opinion ‘no longer counts’ after the team’s internal power struggle between Horner, Marko and senior official Mark Mateschitz.