Lando Norris
McLaren
Mercedes
Red Bull
Ferrari
Williams
Racing Bulls
Aston Martin
Haas
Alpine
Aston Martin have now identified Cadillac ace Sergio Perez as a potential replacement for Fernando Alonso, amid links with Alpine, but they face competition from Williams.
The Silverstone team are keen to be proactive after it emerged that Alpine could lure Alonso back to Enstone next year. Alonso is out of contract for Aston Martin at the end of 2026, and the lack of competitiveness that the Spaniard is having with the AMR26 could see him leave.
It is believed that Alonso is raging behind the scenes at Aston Martin over how bad the 2026 season has so far been. And while the two-time F1 champion will not show the full extent of his anger in public, at least not yet, Alpine chief Flavio Briatore is paying very close attention.
How will Fernando Alonso’s Formula 1 career be remembered?
Aston Martin, Alpine and Williams are all interested in Sergio Perez for 2027
Alonso returning to Alpine for 2027 has gained traction in the paddock in recent weeks, too, so Aston Martin are starting to consider what a future without the Spaniard would look like. And RacingNews365 claims Aston Martin feel Perez can potentially replace Alonso next year.
READ MORE: Five races in 2024 that convinced Red Bull to sack Sergio Perez
Perez’s ‘dominance’ over Valtteri Bottas in their head-to-head battle at Cadillac this year has firmly put the 36-year-old on the radar of ‘multiple’ teams. Aston Martin are believed to be one of those interested in Perez, as they would want a ‘high-profile’ replacement for Alonso.
Aston Martin know their form this season will not convince a current front-running driver to join them in 2027. So, while Perez is fighting at the back of the pack for Cadillac, the six-time career F1 Grand Prix winner’s record and his ability to develop a car appeal to Aston Martin.
Aston Martin technical director Adrian Newey also remains a massive fan of Perez and holds his ‘technical acumen and expertise’ in high regard from their time together at Red Bull. The ‘substantial’ wage Perez would demand to leave Cadillac also does not put Aston Martin off.
But Aston Martin could face competition from Williams, as they would also be willing to pay Perez a ‘significant’ salary if Alex Albon or Carlos Sainz were to quit. Neither Albon nor Sainz would hesitate to leave Williams if they are offered a better opportunity after a tough 2026.
If F1 welcomed Carlos Sainz’s ‘crazy’ idea, which driver would win the championship and why?
Like Aston Martin, Williams want to be proactive as it is ‘no secret’ that Sainz and Albon are open to offers from rival teams for 2027. But should Alonso opt to stay at Aston Martin next year, then Alpine would join Williams in the mix for Perez because of his appeal to sponsors.
Alpine appreciate that Perez would fit well with their e-commerce partner and could also be an attractive alternative to Alonso for Gucci ahead of their title partnership next year. Perez, for his part, is keen to focus on his commitment to Cadillac, but his head may yet be turned.
Alonso, Perez, Albon and Sainz may thus be the next dominoes in the F1 driver market that Red Bull racer Max Verstappen holds the key to. As well as Perez attracting interest from an array of teams, it is claimed that Alpine are interested in Albon and George Russell for 2027.
Russell might come onto the market, as Verstappen is often named as a target for Mercedes given that he is likely to hold an exit clause. Verstappen will have from August to October to activate his release clause if he hits the summer break outside the top two in the standings.
Receive exclusive F1 news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
