F1 journalists insist that there’s no chance 42-year-old driver changes teams before 2024 season

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There has been some talk in the paddock recently about whether Fernando Alonso could still change teams next season.

Speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast, journalists Tom Clarkson and Frederic Ferret were discussing the 42-year-old’s future.

The silly season in Formula 1 where drivers and teams are trying to find the best solution for the next year is normally a manic part of the campaign.

In 2021, the Oscar Piastri saga played out in front of everyone’s eyes on social media after choosing McLaren over Alpine.

He appeared to make the right choice after claiming a Sprint Race win and will finish the season above both French drivers at his old team.

However, in 2022 there’s only been a small amount of drama in the driver market.

Nyck de Vries managed ten races for AlphaTauri before he was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo who in turn was replaced by Liam Lawson when he picked up an injury.

The only driver who hasn’t been confirmed yet is Logan Sargeant, although his main rival for that seat has already confirmed their plans for 2024.

However, Fernando Alonso has been linked with a potential change in teams this winter despite being contracted to Aston Martin.

That seems to be less and less likely though and has now been ruled out completely.

Alonso not going to change teams in 2024

Speaking about the Spaniard’s future, Tom Clarkson said: “I thought he was very quick to refuse Helmut Marko’s suggestion that Fernando [Alonso] had even planted the story that he was going to Red Bull in the position of Checo Perez.

“But there’s no doubt is there that Fernando Alonso will be at Aston Martin next year, leading the charge for them.”

Colleague Fred Ferrer added: “Especially when you hear him today saying that they found something just like Mike Krack said they are not lost with the car.

“They are a small team becoming a big team so they need to rethink things and reshape the way they’re building the next car.

“But I think the next car won’t be a bad one just like the McLaren one.”

Alonso has had to change teams on multiple occasions in Formula 1.

He started at minnows Minardi before moving between Renault, McLaren, Renault again, Ferrari, McLaren again, Alpine and finally Aston Martin.

It’s a hell of a CV although he arguably missed out on winning several world titles by being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Red Bull are unlikely to want to bring in a driver of Alonso’s calibre that might spoil the balance of the team.

He’s got to hope that Aston Martin can produce a car that can once again compete at the front of the grid like it did at the start of the year.