Rumours in the world of Formula One is nothing new. In fact, in the past, some driver and team rumours have been so ridiculous, appearing at certain points in the season, that it's adopted the infamous name of "Silly Season," and right now, after the events of the Mexican Grand Prix, we seem to be stuck right in the middle of it.
Remember 2013? That was a good one for for sitting on your bums with a tub of popcorn, scrolling through social media for the lastest ridiculous, yet hot, F1 gossip. That season included the rumour that Lewis Hamilton would be leaving McLaren for Mercedes, something that many people believed wouldn't happen, especially as it meant the retirement of Michael Schumacher. Alas, Silly Season delivered, proving that not all rumours are discovered out of boredom and that sometimes, it's the rumours that are more likely to prospire that simply, don't. Take the Sergio Perez to Ferrari rumour. As a Ferrari Academy driver in his early F1 years, this was to be expected. However, it never came to be. It may just be, that what we're about to discuss, isn't just total random jargon.
(Disclaimer - These are just rumours.)
As avid F1 aficionados, who cancel social plans to watch every piece of racing action, we know that despite having a contract for 2024, there are many question marks hanging over Sergio Perez's seat for next season. As a Red Bull driver, who has undoubtedly struggled over the course of 2023, it's getting to a point of "when" will Red Bull replace him, not "if." And, with Daniel Ricciardo back on the Red Bull scene, he is the hot favourite to partner Max Verstappen in either 2024 or 2025, once Perez's contract is up. Regardless, with the pattern that seems to be following the second drivers at Red Bull, does it actually matter as to who gets that seat?
As it seems, Red Bull want nothing but the best and, if the newest rumours are to believed, they have their beady, little eyes on 2x F1 World Champion; Fernando Alonso.
So far, the 2023 season has been a story of ups and downs for the Spaniard; starting off with numerous podiums to barely scoring points in the past few races. It's more than obvious that the effort Aston Martin had put in to the 2023 season has dwindled down to almost nothing, with rivals such as Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren jumping them in the standings. The downfall of Aston Martin is also backed up by reports that owner; Lawrence Stroll, is looking to sell the team. The immediate future of the Aston Martin team is anything but clear. Could Alonso be trying to jump ships before the disaster? Talk in the paddock indicates so, with a seat swap with Red Bull's Sergio Perez on the cards.
But could this really become a reality? Sky Sport's Craig Slater doesn't think so.
"Can we get rid of the elephant in the room, which is Fernando Alonso potentially going to Red Bull next year to partner Max Verstappen? My understanding is that is a non-starter, that is not going to happen,” Slater told the Sky Sports F1 podcast.
However, as far as anyone is aware, IF Red Bull were to replace Perez for 2024, it would most likely be with Ricciardo, who previously drove for the team from 2014-2018. He is, at the time of writing, the most logical choice. So, in that case, where does that leave Alonso? Further seasons at Aston Martin? A possible retirement from the sport? That rumour is doing the rounds also. All of this courtesy of Spanish journalist; Albert Fabrega.
But, what do I make of it all?
Personally, I've seen plenty of F1 rumours come and go in my many years of being an "F1 nut." This one, though, seems the biggest of them all. Maybe it's because of how much the F1 community has evolved over recent seasons, alongside the drama that seems to plague social media sites. Maybe it's just a type of click bait that has gotten out of control. Regardless, as much as I would LOVE to see Alonso race back in a top team, I can't bring myself to believe that he would go to Red Bull while Verstappen is there. Right now it's Verstappen's team. Him (VER) having a teammate as bold as Alonso is a disaster waiting to happen. Unfortunately though, if recent years are to go by, for any driver who partners Verstappen it could end badly. There is no saying that Ricciardo will be better than Perez.
At the end of the day, Alonso moving to Red Bull is a long shot. An overall retirement from the sport, as much as I'd hate to experience that again, is more likely. It's looking like it's all just another chapter in the 2023 Silly Season.
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