Fernando Alonso Could Have Been a Red Bull Champion as Max Verstappen Partnership Was Once on the Books

Vidit Dhawan | 09/06/2023
Fernando Alonso Could Have Been a Red Bull Champion as Max Verstappen Partnership Was Once on the Books

Fernando Alonso has a long history of making poor choices when it comes to selecting teams. From moving to Ferrari in 2010 to moving to McLaren in 2015, things never seem to have worked well for the Spaniard.

However, things could have been much different had he accepted the offer from Red Bull back in 2009. The Milton Keynes outfit finished second in the Constructors’ Championship that season before winning four titles in a row from 2010 to 2013.

Along with the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel also won four Drivers’ Championships in a row during this period. And as it so happened, he defeated Alonso for the title in 2010, 2012, and 2013.

Horner reveals Alonso rejected the offer to join Red Bull on three occasions

When asked in an interview how close Red Bull has been to signing Fernando Alonso, team principal Christian Horner revealed, “We got very close“. The 49-year-old revealed that he and Helmut Marko went to see Alonso’s management in 2008 to sign the Spaniard for two seasons.

However, Alonso was only keen to sign a contract for a year. As a result, Horner reveals that things never really worked out as Red Bull only offered him a tw0-year deal or nothing.

The British team principal then concluded his remarks by stating that they had two more conversations with Alonso in further years but that it was the first exchange that was the most serious. Since the last of these discussions took place at the end of the 2011 or 2012 season, there was also a slight possibility that a partnership with Max Verstappen was on the books for Alonso.

Considering the remarkable record that Sebastian Vettel had with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013 and the amazing record that Verstappen is having now, it is a case of what could have been for Alonso.

The Spaniard missed the opportunity to sign for one of the two teams that have dominated the last decade. The other team that has dominated a huge part of the last decade is eight-time Constructors’ Champion Mercedes.

Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen seem to share a strong bond

Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen seem to share a fantastic bond as the two have appreciated each other very often. Moreover, the Spaniard has also revealed that he would love to team up with the Dutchman someday.

Since their teaming up together is unlikely to happen in F1, Alonso has suggested that they could do so in Le Mans. While speaking to reporters (as quoted by mirror.co.uk), the 41-year-old said, “We are very good friends. We are always in contact. I would love to do Le Mans – if I do Le Mans once again – with Max“.

While Alonso and Verstappen could potentially partner in Le Mans in the future, such a partnership is unlikely in F1. This is because teammates in F1 are usually each other’s biggest rivals. And considering the outstanding talent that both have, they are unlikely to be keen to play second fiddle to the other.

Post Edited By: Shreya Sanjeev
Fernando Alonso Max Verstappen Red Bull

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Vidit Dhawan

Vidit Dhawan, a Formula 1 Editor at The SportsRush, is intrinsically connected with everything around the sport — from the engine roar, the cacophony on the grandstands to the action. He fell in love with F1 during the inaugural Indian GP in 2011. After more than a decade of deep engagement with the sport, Vidit insists he will remain a lifelong fan of Fernando Alonso, and sees the future of F1 in Charles Leclerc. A sports fanatic from childhood, he discovered his passion for writing while pursuing a bachelor's degree in international and global studies. Vidit has written over 1,700 articles, ranging from news reports to opinions. He thrives covering live action, and loves to dig into the contrasting personalities in the F1 bandwagon and narrate their journey in life as well as the sport. Vidit also follows tennis and football, enjoys playing as well as coaching chess.

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