Aston Martin make 5-pole F1 driver ‘strong contender’ to replace Fernando Alonso

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Carlos Sainz is now a ‘strong contender’ to replace Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin after Ferrari axed the Spaniard for seven-time F1 drivers’ champion, Lewis Hamilton.

The Scuderia have left Sainz with an uncertain future after opting against extending the 29-year-old’s contract beyond this season. But half of the 2024 grid is also out of contract this year. So, he has plenty of viable landing spots and one may be Alonso’s seat at Aston Martin.

That is according to Lawrence Barretto, who reports that Aston Martin would ideally want to keep Alonso beside Lance Stroll. Yet the Silverstone squad also accepts the 42-year-old is only a short-term option to share their garage with the son of team owner, Lawrence Stroll.

Sainz is a ‘strong contender’ to replace Alonso at Aston Martin

Aston Martin are beyond highly unlikely to drop Stroll but Alonso’s drive is ‘very much’ there for Sainz. The exit-bound Ferrari star is one of a plethora of drivers who can replace his hero. Aston Martin see Sainz as a ‘strong contender’, given Alonso is nearing the end of his career.

Sainz stands out to the Silverstone squad as they feel the two-time Grand Prix winner is now entering his peak years. Aston Martin also appreciate the soon-to-be free agent’s quality of feedback, consistency and turn of speed. But other soon-to-be free agents may also appeal.

Sainz has more pole positions for Ferrari than Alonso secured

Sainz was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a Grand Prix in 2023. Yet his Singapore GP win was not enough to convince Ferrari to present a new contract, along with extending Charles Leclerc’s deal, before tempting Hamilton to leave Mercedes and move to Maranello in 2025.

His victory around Marina Bay even came from Sainz’s fifth career pole position on the back of his fourth at the Italian GP, Ferrari’s home race. Alonso has taken 22 pole positions during his Formula 1 career since 2001. But his last pole came at the German GP in 2012 for Ferrari.

All five of Sainz’s F1 pole positions have also been with Ferrari, eclipsing the four that Alonso achieved in red from 2010 to 2014. But Alonso also took 11 of his 32 career Grand Prix wins for the Scuderia. Sainz won his first race at the 2022 British GP before winning in Singapore.