Despite having only recently joined Aston Martin, two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso is already being strongly linked with a future move away from the Silverstone-based team, to a German manufacturer.
Alonso is a rumoured contender alongside Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz for a seat at Audi in 2026, when the Germans merge with Sauber.
Audi are joining the sport in 2026 to become a power unit supplier for Sauber, making them an Audi works team.
The big difference between the Alonso and Sainz rumours, is that the rumour linking Sainz to Audi came from Swiss publication Blick, whilst Alonso’s has come directly from the Hinwil-based team.
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Managing director of the Sauber Group, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, has revealed that he’d “always sign” the 41-year-old no matter how old he is, with the pair having gotten to know each other when the Spaniard was joined by Stoffel Vandoorne at McLaren.
Alunni Bravi was previously Vandoorne’s manager, meaning he saw Alonso’s “great determination” up close.
“I would always sign Fernando, even at 45 years or more,” Alunni Bravi told Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo.
“I was able to get to know him well at McLaren, when I was the manager of Stoffel Vandoorne, who was his team-mate. I was able to see first-hand the work he can do on a day-to-day basis as a driver, his ability, his great determination.
“He is a champion. You don’t win two F1 World titles if you don’t have certain characteristics. It’s a pleasure for me to see him.”
Should Alonso complete a shock move to Audi in 2026 when the new engine regulations are introduced, then it’ll keep him at the pinnacle of motorsport until he’s 45 years old.
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Even if he doesn’t switch to Audi, he’s already expressed an interest at remaining with Aston Martin as the sport enters the new regulations, despite Honda becoming their official power unit supplier.
Alonso’s relationship with Honda is a sketchy one, following their time together at McLaren which led to the Spaniard taking a two-year hiatus.
He does at least have time to decide about 2026 onwards, with his current Aston Martin deal reportedly expiring at the end of next season.