Alonso-Alpine reunion rumour swirls through paddock

Fernando Alonso has become the subject of one of the biggest rumours circulating in the Barcelona paddock.

According to Sky Italia journalist Roberto Chinchero, the two-time world champion is being linked with a shock move to Alpine for 2027, potentially reuniting with Flavio Briatore.

"Gasly will stay, but Colapinto says it also depends on what happens with Alonso," Chinchero said from Barcelona.

"Franco has a close relationship with Williams."

Some observers believe Aston Martin could be considering alternative plans given Alonso’s age, with the Spaniard turning 45 next month, while others point to Briatore’s influence and the prospect of a Mercedes-powered, Gucci-sponsored Alpine.

Aston Martin, however, quickly denied the rumours.

"It’s not true, it’s just a paddock rumour," a team spokesperson told Soy Motor.

Yet Alonso did little to completely shut down the speculation when asked whether Aston Martin remains his only option. "I don’t know. I’m open to many scenarios," he said.

The rumours emerged after Alonso started the Spanish GP weekend by hinting that the end of his Formula 1 career may not be far away.

Asked by Mundo Deportivo about a possible future management role, Alonso admitted his vast experience could still be useful to a team even after he stops racing.

"I haven’t thought about it yet," he admitted with a laugh. "But then again, you never know what the future holds.

"I’ve been involved in the sport for 20, 25 years now. I’m also starting to realise that there are engineers walking around who only have six or nine years of experience.

"The engine technicians, the gearbox designers, the aerodynamics engineers - with the exception of Adrian Newey - most of them haven’t even been working here for twelve years."

"I don’t dare say in what role yet, but I am sure that that experience can be of value someday."

The Spaniard’s future is also being debated because of Aston Martin’s disastrous 2026 campaign, with the team struggling badly despite the arrival of Honda and Adrian Newey.

Asked how he decides whether to continue racing, Alonso admitted drivers are constantly tempted by promises that the next season will be better.

"It’s a wheel that never stops, because the following year always seems like it will be better than the current one," he said. "So, for a driver, it’s difficult to choose when it’s time to stop if you have the opportunity.

"In my case, I’m guided more by how I feel in the car, how much I enjoy driving."

Alonso also suggested that the modern Formula 1 calendar and current generation of cars are not helping.

"These cars aren’t the ones you enjoy the most. I’ve driven more fun things than this year’s F1 cars, regardless of the result. And then, well, we now have 24 races.

"When I started racing in Formula 1, we had 16, 11 of them in Europe. So, you have to consider what you feel like doing."

The frustrations of 2026 were also evident when Alonso was asked about Aston Martin’s struggles.

"The same old story," he said.

"I understand you want to criticise the team, but the situation is what it is - we have a very bad engine, the worst, poor power distribution, problems with the gearbox and aerodynamics.

"We’re working on all of them and hoping that things will change in the second half of the year so we can give them something to cheer about."

Meanwhile, Alonso’s remarkable run of 42 consecutive qualifying victories over teammate Lance Stroll ended in front of his home crowd on Saturday.

"It was a good run, but in some of the sprints he was ahead and didn’t count," Alonso said. "He was right there with Sebastian (Vettel), so Lance is a very fast driver."