Fernando Alonso‘s future in Formula 1 is up in the air and the threat of running out of a seat for next season has a name, and what a name, Max Verstappen. Lawrence Stroll would like to complete his project with Aston Martin by signing the best driver on the grid right now. However, Mercedes are making moves and putting Verstappen in a difficult position where he has to make a decision.
Russell stirs up trouble at Mercedes
The British press is reporting that George Russell is close to renewing his contract with Mercedes for two seasons. The British driver has met expectations at the start of the season and wants to secure his future, as his contract expires at the end of the year. The threat of his new teammate, Antonelli, who also seems to be living up to expectations, and the possible interest in Max Verstappen, could have led to the leaking of this information, which has not been officially confirmed by either the driver or the team.
But the biggest beneficiary in this matter could be the Mercedes boss himself. Toto Wolff is convinced that they will have the best car on the grid next year and he doesn’t seem to care much who his driver will be next season, although logically, having Verstappen would be something that could not be refused. However, this news can only generate doubts for Max Verstappen himself, who has to decide his future with three options: to continue with Red Bull, to sign for Mercedes or to sign for Aston Martin.
Max Verstappen’s doubts
Max Verstappen has many doubts about his future and what decision to make. That Mercedes is currently the best placed in the development of next season’s engine and that, therefore, it will have the best car, is something that seems to be taken for granted by everyone in the F1 paddock. If Verstappen decides to leave Red Bull at the end of the season, it would be logical for him to choose Mercedes given his ambition to continue winning titles and become the best driver in the history of the sport.
The second most logical option for Max Verstappen (again, if his goal is to become world champion again) would be to stay at Red Bull for another season, as he could be free in 2027 (although he has a contract until 2028) and could sign for any team. If he waits for this moment, he will have a clearer idea of which teams will have a real chance of winning the championship.
Fernando Alonso could continue for another year at Aston Martin
In this way, Fernando Alonso would be one of the favored drivers: Max Verstappen could join Aston Martin next season, but it would be risky. Given the team’s missteps in recent years, there are serious doubts that their project can bear the expected fruits from Silverstone. Signing for Aston Martin next season would be a risk to keep winning world championships. The logical thing would be for the Dutchman, before signing for the British team, to stay for another year in the team where he has won four world championships. That way, in 2027, he will be able to choose his destination or, if Red Bull manages to make a winning car, continue with the Austrians.
Therefore, Fernando Alonso’s future in F1 for another year seems more evident than ever. But nothing can be taken for granted. F1 moves very fast, on and off the track, but now everything indicates that the only option for Verstappen to leave Red Bull is to sign for Mercedes, a team that has already shown that it can be world champion, something that Aston Martin has not yet done.