Marko reveals talks with Alonso about a possible race seat

Having spent over two decades in Formula One, two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso has not raced at Red Bull, but the Milton Keynes-based outfit’s advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has now revealed talks with the Spaniard.

Fernando Alonso made his F1 debut with Minardi back in 2001. Having spent the following season as a test driver, he joined the Renault outfit where he secured his two championship titles in 2005 and 2006.

Following a five-year stint at Ferrari, he switched to McLaren before staying away from the pinnacle of motorsport for two years.

The Spaniard made his comeback with Alpine in 2021 before joining Aston Martin last season. The 43-year-old collected seven podium finishes at the start of 2023, but the Silverstone-based outfit has endured a dip in form this year.

Despite the difficulties, in April, Alonso agreed to a new multi-year contract committing him to the team until at least the end of the 2026 season, the first year of the sport’s new regulations and the start of Aston Martin’s works partnership with Honda.

Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has now confirmed that the Austro-British outhit had been in negotiations with Alonso.

“We were no longer just sponsors, but sponsors who demanded that the drivers had the potential to become a future Grand Prix winner,"

Revealing why Red Bull elected against signing Alonso, Marko noted that it was down to the philosophy laid down by the company’s co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz.

"That was also because of Dietrich Mateschitz's philosophy. We were negotiating with Fernando Alonso at the time, but he said we don't buy stars, we make them ourselves.

“Therefore, I think that is also a legacy. To continue with this philosophy and the incredible visionary and spiritual spirit that Mateschitz brought here," concluded Marko.