‘Liberty wanted Red Bull to sign Alonso’

Michelle Foster
Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso takes fourth straight Legends Trophy win, but Jenson Button is champion.

Liberty Media urged Red Bull to sign Fernando Alonso but the F1 team said no as even mentioning the Spaniard gets Honda’s “hackles up”.

Alonso walked away from Formula 1 at the end of 2018, taking with him a big part of the sport’s star power.

Liberty Media wanted it, and him, back.

According to Auto Bild, Formula 1’s owners went knocking on Red Bull’s door. Red Bull said no.

“We immediately said that there is no need for Alonso,” revealed Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.

Marko confirmed Honda, who Alonso called a “GP2 engine” during his days with McLaren-Honda, also aren’t keen on the double World Champion.

“It’s also not possible because of our engine partner, Honda,” he said.

“If they even hear the name Alonso, all their hackles are up.”

Liberty Media, though, aren’t giving up.

According to the German publication, they are ‘continuing to work on mega deals with the two superstars [Lewis] Hamilton and Alonso.’

Liberty are keen on shaking things up with Hamilton ‘at Ferrari and Alonso replacing him at Mercedes.’

That, according to Auto Bild, would be a ‘pure money printing machine’ for F1.

Hamilton has reportedly met with Ferrari twice this year, saying he sees “no harm” in speaking to Mercedes’ rival.

The Woking team, though, are confident of retaining his services long term.

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