22-pole ‘beast’ pushing very hard for Red Bull seat in 2025

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One driver is now doing all he can to secure a seat at Red Bull for the 2025 season, according to The Race.

While Red Bull have won the last two constructors’ championships in dominant fashion, the future of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez is uncertain.

And The Race believe that one big-name driver is hoping this will open the door for him to join Christian Horner’s team next year.

Verstappen is gunning for a fourth drivers’ title in a row with the Bulls after the most dominant campaign in F1 history last year.

He won the first two Grands Prix of the season in dominant fashion and was on pole for the third in Australia before sustaining a race-ending brake issue.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

While his contract runs until the end of 2028, Verstappen knows there will be a major change to F1’s engine regulations in 2026.

A recent report claimed that he’s ‘increasingly likely’ to join rivals Mercedes, while another added that he appreciates their interest.

The out-of-contract Perez, meanwhile, is battling to prove himself after finishing a record 290 points behind Verstappen in last year’s standings.

He completed a Red Bull one-two at the first two events but then finished fifth in Melbourne after a visor tear-off became lodged in his floor.

Fernando Alonso sets sights on Red Bull seat

The latest noise in the paddock is that Fernando Alonso is ‘pushing very hard’ to ascertain if there are any ‘opportunities’ at Red Bull.

Before he makes any firm decision about his future, he wants to know if a move to the Milton Keynes outfit is possible.

Alonso joined Aston Martin at the start of 2023 and his deal is up at the end of the season.

The 42-year-old is still holding out hope of adding a third championship trophy to his cabinet, 18 years on from his last in 2006.

Where will Alonso race next year?

Provided Alonso, who’s the oldest driver on the grid, wants to continue racing, he has three clear options.

The first, and potentially the likeliest, is that he remains with Aston, who already intend to offer him a new contract.

That’s no surprise given that he’s scored 222 of the team’s 305 points since he began his partnership with Lance Stroll.

Despite his age, compatriot Pedro de la Rosa says his results have shown that he’s still a ‘beast’.

The second option is Red Bull, and the interest does seem to be mutual. Horner has apparently made his Alonso his top target to replace Perez, with talks already advanced.

However, former F1 driver Christijan Albers has warned that they ‘absolutely cannot’ pair him with Verstappen.

Unlike Red Bull, Mercedes already have a confirmed vacancy, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton off to Ferrari.

The Silver Arrows may offer a less direct route to the title given their current struggles.

Martin Brundle suspects Alonso may have hurt his chances in Melbourne when the stewards penalised him for his role in an accident for George Russell.

But Alonso’s former colleague Pat Symonds has urged Toto Wolff to sign the ‘incredibly fast’ Spaniard, who has bagged 22 poles and 32 wins in his career.