Yesterday we saw Taylor Swift leaving a recording studio with her rumored beau, Matt Healy. While that rumor may have a lot of real juice in it, a few weeks ago there was one which never really found any footing. Yes, our niche world of Formula 1 ruled tabloids as Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso got linked with the 12-time Grammy winner. But while we wanted it to be forever, it went down in flames. But Alonso still had much to gain.

While there is no taking away from the fact that Nando is an exceptional driver, and he stands resurrected in 2023, ‘TayNando’ rumors did him good. The rumor began with a gossip column posting an anonymous tip, and our world saw the most unexpected crossover ever. Even if it was only on paper or on our screens. Talking during an episode of the F1 Nation Podcast, Natalie Pinkham highlights what an association with the singer with 259 million followers on Instagram can do.

She said, “The point is, any kind of association with Taylor Swift is enough to peak the interest of a younger generation of fans. And it did exactly that. And he gave a smile. He was incredibly charming. He batted it off beautifully, but then he was trending everywhere with Taylor. And the memes.”

Pinkham then went on to add an interesting anecdote, “My 6-year-old and 8-year-old vaguely know who Fernando Alonso is coz it’s some bloke who mummy interviews at the track. But the minute they heard he was associated with Taylor Swift, they asked me who he was in the race in Miami. His growth on social media online, his presence has been exponential.”

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But while the rumor is completely trashed now, Red Bull reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo had already called “BS” on that.

“Definitely not…” Daniel Ricciardo rains on Fernando Alonso’s whimsical parade

The F1 world was having too much fun with Fernando Alonso’s link-up with Swift. But the Red Bull reserve driver put a full stop to the Alonso-Taylor fantasy train we were riding. A journalist asked Dany, “Who do you think is most likely to get a date with Taylor Swift?” To which he replied, “Definitely not Alonso.”

He continued, “I called BS on that from the start. I hope I was not the only one as well. I don’t know. I think someone who is certainly interested in the arts. Alonso, I think he appreciates racing. Probably only racing. I feel like any time I see him do anything, it is just racing. So that is why I kind of quickly canceled him out of that conversation.”

And sensing something still hidden there, the reporter asked, “That’s the only reason why?” But Ricciardo shut it there saying, “Yeah, Let’s just, let’s be nice.”

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Which is the most bizarre link-up rumor involving an F1 driver?