P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Fernando Alonso’s taken himself out of Mercedes and Red Bull contention by committing to a longer Aston Martin stay, closed a door for some rivals and done others a favour
Fernando Alonso was Mercedes’ second choice for 2025, while Aston Martin always had him as their top priority. Alonso made the decision to stay with Aston Martin through 2025, 2026, and likely beyond, rather than pursuing a Red Bull seat. This decision will have significant implications for F1’s 2025 driver market. Red Bull was not able to offer Alonso what he desired, mainly positioning him as a temporary replacement for Max Verstappen if needed. With Perez performing well, Red Bull made it clear to Alonso that the opportunity to join was closing. Without Alonso in the mix, Carlos Sainz becomes a highly sought-after free agent in the F1 driver market.
