What’s next for Fernando Alonso in Formula 1? The motorsport icon’s contract with Aston Martin only runs until the end of the year; the Spaniard recently revealed that he will “probably” complete his last F1 race in Barcelona this weekend. Apparently, in addition to the end of his career, there is also a sensational change for the old master.
As the online portal “PlanetF1” claims to have learned about the Barcelona-Catalonia Grand Prix with reference to “various sources”, Fernando Alonso is said to be considering a return to Alpine. The now 44-year-old began his career with the team from Enstone, which was then called Benetton before it became Renault and which was already headed by Flavio Briatore.
The Italian is once again working in a managerial position with the French factory team. It is said that Briatore is one of the decisive factors why Alonso even thinks about a change. According to “PlanetF1”, the Spaniard could take over the cockpit of Franco Colapinto, who is said to be “on the fence” with the team. Pierre Gasly is set, the online portal continues.
Alonso’s fourth commitment to the team from Enstone?
Alonso will be 45 years old at the end of July. However, the old master is currently only following behind in the inferior Aston Martin. This is difficult for a two-time world champion to digest: “The hardest thing for me is not winning races and not being competitive,” said the veteran, whose contract with the British team ends at the end of the year.
Should Alonso return to Alpine, it would be his fourth engagement in Enstone. He drove from 2003 to 2006 and again in 2008 and 2009 for the team, which was then still active in the premier motorsport class under the name “Renault F1 Team”. After his break from Formula 1, he returned to the team then named Alpine for the 2021 season before moving to Aston Martin for 2023.
It is the racing team with which he won the 2005 and 2006 World Championships and a good half of his 32 Grand Prix victories.