Alonso Had a Tempting Offer From Top F1 Team for 2019

Fernando Alonso has revealed that he was approached by the Red Bull team regarding a seat. However, he rejected he offer, prior to his announced exit from F1 at the end of the year.

The offer came in the wake of Daniel Ricciardo’s shock decision to quit the team for Renault. Earlier this week, Red Bull officially named Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly as Max Verstappen’s 2019 team-mate.

“From one of the top three teams, l already had an offer a couple of times this year,” Alonso told Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz.

Alonso’s revelation conflicts with Christian Horner’s remarks ruling out Alonso replacing Ricciardo.

“I have huge respect for Fernando, he is a great driver, a fantastic driver, but it’s very difficult…he’s tended to cause a bit of chaos wherever he’s gone,” Horner said.

“I’m not sure it would be the healthiest thing for the team for Fernando to join. Our preference is to continue to invest in youth than take a driver who is obviously close to the end of his career.”

However, the Spaniard rebuffed an earlier approach, responding to Sky F1’s story on Twitter with the hashtag ‘FromlastweekNoThanks’

Although he is not racing in F1 in 2019, he has left the door open to a return in the future. The two-time world champion’s departure has been clubbed as retirement from Formula One.

“Life changes very quickly,” said Alonso. “For me it is a bye bye, but who knows – things change quickly. I am leaving the door open as I don’t know what will happen in the future.”

“My heart is with the team forever. I know they will come back stronger and better in the future and it could be the right moment for me to be back in the series; that would make me really happy.”

Alonso blamed F1’s lack of “predictability” and a dearth of opportunities to win as the reason behind his exit.