P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Stroll stays as Alonso tipped for shock Aston Martin exit
Former Formula 1 star Johnny Herbert believes Aston Martin will remove Fernando Alonso from their driver lineup, favoring Lance Stroll. Alonso, a two-time world champion, has been racing in F1 since 2001 and is now 44 years old. Despite a recent resurgence, Alonso is tied in points with Stroll, with Herbert suggesting Stroll’s performance this season makes him a better long-term choice due to their significant age gap. Speculation surrounds Aston Martin’s future drivers, with rumors of pursuing George Russell and Max Verstappen, who is currently committed to Red Bull for 2026. The team has emphasized satisfaction with Stroll and Alonso but remains open to changes post-2026 in pursuit of championship success under the new regulations. Herbert expressed a preference for signing Verstappen over Alonso, hinting at a potential shift in driver lineup strategy for Aston Martin.
