Fernando Alonso will continue to race in Formula 1 with Aston Martin next season after the team announced that the two-time world champion has signed a fresh deal to keep him onboard into 2026 and the sport’s next regulatory cycle.
@GoodEye8 I think you just made my other point with your last statement. Why would Sainz want to go to RBR to be a clear #2? Makes no sense for him at this stage of his career. If he’s not #1 at RBR, best go somewhere else to try to compete for wins and a long shot at a championship. At RBR, he won’t get that chance as long as Verstappen is there.
But at this stage where do you go if you want to compete for wins? The only team closest to competing with RBR is Ferrari and he’s getting kicked from there. McLaren is happy with Norris and Piastri, Aston signed Alonso and are unlikely to let Stroll go (even though they should), which leaves only Merc.
Merc is in the third year of not really understanding their car and there’s no reason to believe they’ll do better next year. It’s also very likely that Merc is planning to eventually give the seat to Antonelli. Why would Sainz go into a struggling team where he’s unlikely to be competing for the wins and is likely to get kicked when the team gets good again? I think it makes more sense to go to RBR, take whatever wins you get when Max is having a bad day, keep your stock up and try to get a position in the next team that might actually fight for the championship.
@GoodEye8 I think you just made my other point with your last statement. Why would Sainz want to go to RBR to be a clear #2? Makes no sense for him at this stage of his career. If he’s not #1 at RBR, best go somewhere else to try to compete for wins and a long shot at a championship. At RBR, he won’t get that chance as long as Verstappen is there.
But at this stage where do you go if you want to compete for wins? The only team closest to competing with RBR is Ferrari and he’s getting kicked from there. McLaren is happy with Norris and Piastri, Aston signed Alonso and are unlikely to let Stroll go (even though they should), which leaves only Merc.
Merc is in the third year of not really understanding their car and there’s no reason to believe they’ll do better next year. It’s also very likely that Merc is planning to eventually give the seat to Antonelli. Why would Sainz go into a struggling team where he’s unlikely to be competing for the wins and is likely to get kicked when the team gets good again? I think it makes more sense to go to RBR, take whatever wins you get when Max is having a bad day, keep your stock up and try to get a position in the next team that might actually fight for the championship.
@GoodEye8 I don’t disagree with anything you’re saying. RBR has the best car, Merc doesn’t know where they are, and Ferrari and Aston are the best bets for wins outside of RBR. Perez is on an expiring deal, but they’re happy with his performances so far this season (at least outwardly - https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13110713/sergio-perez-and-christian-horner-discuss-red-bull-driver-s-f1-future-as-contract-runs-out-at-end-of-2024). I guess we’ll see, but I just don’t see SAI going to RBR to be a clear #2, but I’m sure I’ll be proven wrong.