Talks between Fernando Alonso’s manager and Christian Horner have set up the intriguing possibility of the Spanish star emerging as a candidate for a Red Bull seat.
While he obviously has a Ferrari contract it’s no secret that Alonso has been frustrated by the team’s failure to win the championship since he joined in 2010 – and especially the poor one-lap form the red cars have shown over the past three and half years, which has left him having to fight through the field. He may also have reservations about Ferrari’s 2014 powertrain. The bottom line is he turns 32 on Monday, and the clock is ticking…
The big question is whether he has a way of getting out of his contract due to a performance clause of some sort.
There is also the very obvious question of how Red Bull could work with both Vettel and Alonso on board, although on the other hand the marketing advantages would be huge – and at the same time the Ferrari package would be weakened.
The whole saga also appears to weaken Kimi Raikkonen’s hand. It’s no secret that Christian Horner has been supporting the Finn’s cause and Helmut Marko is behind Daniel Ricciardo, but Alonso adds a new dimension to the search for Mark Webber’s replacement.
One far-fetched suggestion is that 2014 would be the perfect time for Vettel to move to Ferrari in a straight swap, and give himself a new challenge.
Asked about that by this writer Horner said: “That will never happen. I wouldn’t swap Sebastian for anybody.” As for the general prospect of hiring Alonso he added that, “You’d be amazed at who we have had interest from…”
Later when quizzed by the media Horner elaborated on the situation.
“We’re in the fortunate position where there’s quite a lot of interest obviously in the seat for next year. We’ve also been able to have a good look at Daniel [Ricciardo] at the test last week, and we’ll take a bit of time over the summer just to reflect on the options that are open to us and look to make the right decision to put the right driver alongside Sebastian next year.”
Asked if he would confirm or deny contact with Alonso, he said: “I think any conversations between any of the drivers or any of the parties are always going to remain confidential, but of course there’s been quite a few drivers who have expressed interest in the seat, as you can imagine.
“We’re going to take a bit of time to make sure we make the right decision, we’ve got some great options. We don’t need to be in rush.”
Pressed further Alonso, he said: “Is he available? I don’t know, you ask him…”
Meanwhile Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali made it clear that he intends to hang on to Alonso, although perhaps he didn’t sound quite as convincing as you might expect.
“First of all we have a contract with him, and for sure everyone knows about it. Fernando is an asset for the team and we need him to work closely with everyone, above all in this difficult moment of the season.”
Asked about what Ferrari had to do to retain Alonso, he said: “It’s a team work. We have to deliver a job, full stop, and at all levels. But this is for everyone, not only for the team.”
Notwithstanding the Ferrari contract those who think the Alonso/Red Bull scenario is far fetched should recall the reaction to early rumours of Lewis Hamilton’s defection from McLaren to Mercedes. Stranger things have happened…
Adam Cooper F1 
Vettel doesn’t want it. Helmut Marko won’t want it. It won’t happen
Helmut Marko doesn’t call the shots on driver selection, Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz does. That’s why Webber has enjoyed seven years at Red Bull when Marko has wanted him out for at least four!
All somewhat irrelevant if Dietrich wants it…
Makes sense to me. Alonso is 32 tomorrow, so no spring chicken. That last world championship was an awfully long time ago despite him being consistently one of the top performing drivers.
Ferrari may be a well very paid gig, and he’s undisputed No. 1.
But there’s no doubt he thinks he’s much better than Vettel, so seeing the German on course to rack up as many championships as Alain Prost has to hurt. But we know Alonso seriously struggles psychologically if beaten by a team mate.
Alonso at Red Bull? What a contest! McLaren 2007 all over again!
Bring it on I say!
My initial impression was that it’s impossible. Alonso would never leave Ferrari, particularly not after building the team around himself so well. But where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and in Formula One rumours so very often turn out to be correct. It would really shake things up to have Alonso in a Red Bull. And particularly alongside Vettel. What a mouth-watering prospect of a rivalry!
Indeed!
Awesome moment of speculation. My personal view (it would be a long shot to call it analysis):
1. Will Vettel want Alonso? I’m rather reluctant to accept that. That brings the subsequent question – is Vettel ever going to join Ferrari? Perhaps yes, if they have good post-2014 engine+ package.
2. Alonso is tired, IMHO. Sending samurai phrases over Twitter is just a corporate responsibility – he’s unlikely to express his dissatisfaction in public. However, he has already has that “they need to do something”, as opposed to the usual “us” – I think that was Silverstone post-Q.
3. Alonso certainly has out-of-contract performance clause – he’s a racer and I think he has had enough.
4. It is highly unlikely that Ferrari are going to produce something -0.5 seconds after the summer break. Even if they do, the rivals aren’t in hibernate mode – they will need clear second to get ahead of Mercedes and Lotus. The title fight is over for Scuderia, and Alonso knows that.
5. It is possible that he was just showing SF that he’s not bound to wait them forever, and thus asked his agent to appear in public.
6. I’m personally not ruling out a preliminary contract signing – that has happened many times.
7. Alonso will be a great asset to the team – he has already shown good marketing and PR exercises with Ferrari – the enormous amount of events Red Bull does over the world will have new ambassador.
Based on all these (personal thoughts) I’d rather say that Alonso to Red Bull is possible. So is Kimi back to Ferrari.
Interesting times ahead.
A good analysis!
Yes very good analysis, just to add on the one who pays the money and calls the shot is Dietrich Mateschitz, he is an ultimate marketeer, salesman who made the normal energy drink to a global brand, he knows the value of brand, his problem is vetted might win but vettels character doesn’t represent the brand, comparatively webber was more representing the brand, for eg some races vettel got booed , the reigning triple world champ, so the marketing guru Dietrich Mateschitz knows the impact it makes , so he wants alonso or Kimi, he wud pay a premium for alonso, Hornet just planning is pay back for vettel f ignoring his team rider and humiliating him. So alonso redbull v possible and alonso deserves it
Long story short, Horner needs to present the possibility of another top driver chasing the open seat in order to drive down the salary of the driver he wants- Kimi.
It’s all about negotiating positions.
Alonso and Vettel on the same team? Cats sleeping with dogs; sun rising in the west; etc. The infighting between Seb and Fernando would make the Lewis-Fred Mclaren battles look like a tea party.
And don’t forget whilst the ‘will he/won’t he’ goes on, Massa’s chances of retaining his drive increase.
Don’t speculate, and stay with the facts. Alonso’s manager is also Carlos Sainz Jr’s. Everyone saw how he did perform during last tests. Carlos Sainz Jr. is a pilot of the Red Bull academy, and he is currently looking at possibilities to drive in F1. Before talking with anyone, they have to talk with Red Bull…
Sorry but it’s not a question of them being photographed talking and people assuming that it was about Alonso and not Sainz. We know they talked about Alonso… it’s not made up.
Adam, may I ask how do you know that? I’m really curious.