Formula 1

Red Bull rules out Alonso for 2008

Since splitting with McLaren at the end of the season Fernando Alonso has yet to reveal where he might race in 2008, but it seems the rumoured deal with Red Bull is just another myth. The double-champion has been linked with the energy drink ...

Published: Nov 28, 2007, 9:51 PM

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Since splitting with McLaren at the end of the season Fernando Alonso has yet to reveal where he might race in 2008, but it seems the rumoured deal with Red Bull is just another myth. The double-champion has been linked with the energy drink manufacturer team but owner Dietrich Mateschitz said the agreement Alonso was allegedly looking for would not suit Red Bull.

Fernando Alonso, McLaren Mercedes talking with RedBull Racing people.

Photo by xpb.cc.

"From what I hear, Alonso is negotiating with other teams about a one year only deal," Mateschitz told Motorsport Aktuell. "That kind of deal is out of question for us. We would prefer to wait a year and prove that we can build a car which is capable of attracting one of the best Grand Prix drivers for 2009."

Mateschitz pointed out that Red Bull and sister team Toro Rosso already have four drivers under contract for next year. Mark Webber and David Coulthard are both adamant that they will be racing for the former in 2008, while the latter signed (relative) newcomers Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Bourdais this year.

However, Mateschitz said Alonso would be an appealing prospect for the long-term future. "Of all the teams which Alonso would have to choose from we would be an alternative with big potential," he commented. "We are looking for a two year deal with an option for a third. We are looking for a common period of solid build-up."

So if Red Bull is out of the equation and presumably Toyota as well, as the Japanese squad recently confirmed Timo Glock for next year, it is looking more likely that a return to Renault is Alonso's best option. However, the team is reportedly also not interested in the one year deal that Alonso is supposedly looking for.

Many think that the Spaniard is holding out for that deal in order to be free to go to Ferrari in 2009, despite the Scuderia's repeated claims that it will stick with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. Whatever the case, for the moment Alonso is presumably waiting to see what happens to Renault in regard to the latest round of spying accusations.

The World Motor Sport Council called the French outfit to appear before it in Monaco on December 6th to answer a charge of being in unauthorised possession of confidential McLaren information. Speculation has it that that the situation could be even more serious than the Ferrari case that led to McLaren being excluded from the championship, but currently little information is known for certain.

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