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Horner responds to wild rumours of Alonso joining Red Bull

Christian Horner has offered a clear response after being asked about speculation linking Fernando Alonso to the Red Bull team.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has shut down rumours that Fernando Alonso is in the mix for a seat at Red Bull going forward. In the Miami paddock, surprise speculation has linked Alonso to Red Bull and the spot alongside Max Verstappen, who recently signed a new deal with the team through 2028. Alonso, 40, is in the final year of his current deal with Alpine, having rejoined the Enstone-based outfit for his F1 comeback last season.

Horner: Alonso is not part of our plans

However, when asked about the possibility of Alonso making the switch to Red Bull, Horner was quick to brush aside the talk. "That's news to me!" Horner told Sky Sports F1 , before insisting that he's "very happy" with his current line-up of Verstappen and Sergio Perez. "Fernando's a great driver. It's fantastic he's still in Formula 1 and giving the plus 40s something to aspire to, but he doesn't [as] fit part of our plans."

Horner adds further praise for Perez

Pushed if he has held any talks with Alonso's long-time manager, Flavio Briatore, Horner again used the opportunity to put his faith in Perez. After a rollercoaster first season at Red Bull, the Mexican has made a clear step forward in 2022 and sits third in the standings, five points down on Verstappen. "I speak to Flavio; he's a friend [and] I speak with him every now and again, but no," said Horner. "We're very much focused on our drivers at this point in time and Checo has been doing a great job this year."

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