Max Verstappen says Fernando Alonso was never considered for a seat at Red Bull Racing in 2019, Autosport.com reports.
McLaren driver Alonso, who will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season, claimed that he had offers from Red Bull, which the team has denied.
Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly has been signed up to replace Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull and Verstappen says the Frenchman was chosen because the pair can work well together.
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“Alonso was not an option, I know that anyway,” said Verstappen. “I can get along very well with Pierre, and I think they [Red Bull] have looked at that too.
“It was who I am good with, and how someone in the team will be, and that is why they finally chose Pierre.”
Alonso likes 2021 concepts
Even though Fernando Alonso won’t be driving in F1 in two years’ time the Spaniard has given the thumbs up to the 2021 concept cars.
Revealed before last week’s Singapore Grand Prix, F1 motorsport boss Ross Brawn said the three concepts will focus on improving racing.
When asked about the concepts, Alonso told Sky Sports: “If they did a study, they checked and they know it’s going to be better in the future, it’s the way to go.
“The cars aesthetically look different. More like a Formula Renault or an IndyCar and they seem to follow each other a little bit closer. It’s good to copy ideas that work already.”
Arrivabene: let Mick have fun
Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has not ruled out Mick Schumacher one day joining the Italian team, but he wants to see the 19-year-old “have fun” before taking the step up to F1.
Michael Schumacher won five of his F1 titles at Ferrari and for many fans it would be a fairytale to see his son one day line up on the grid in red.
Schumacher junior has impressed in the European F3 championship and is currently three points off the lead in the drivers’ standings.
His form on the track has led to many rumours of a future switch to F1 - and Ferrari - but Arrivabene believes he should given time.
Speaking to F1.com, the Ferrari chief said: “The recent results were very, very good and I wish to him a great career. But let the guy have fun. I always repeat this: [young drivers should be] focused, concentrated, but at the same time have fun and grow up slowly but certainly. Then we will see about the future.
“How can you say no, in Maranello, to a name like this?”
