Aston Martin makes Alonso concession as he mulls F1 future

Aston Martin has conceded that Fernando Alonso would be an "attractive" driver for any team in Formula 1 as he mulls over his future.

Alonso's contract expires at the end of the 2024 season, which is his 23rd full-time season and during which he is set to reach 400 Grand Prix starts in Qatar.

The two-time champion will turn 43 in July - the same age at which Michael Schumacher retired for the second time in 2012, and has admitted that he is considering his future owing to the continued calendar expansion and demands required by drivers.

He is considering both his future in F1 and with Aston Martin, having been touted as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025 and also Max Verstappen if he were to leave Red Bull following the ongoing power struggle at the World Champions.

Team Principal Mike Krack is keen to keep Alonso - and praised what he brings to the team off-track as well as on it.

Krack keen to keep Alonso

"It is no secret that he first of all wants to decide for himself what he wants to do," Krack explained to media including RacingNews365.

"We want to continue working with Fernando, and I think the most important thing is that we give him a quick car so he believes in this project, believes in this team - and everything else we will have to discuss over the weeks to come.

"It is clear that a driver of that calibre is attractive for everybody, that is clear but we will try to keep him.

"We have seen that last year already when he joined, it is not only what he brings in terms of driving talent and race craft, but he brings this extra drive, push and motivation to everybody.

"He leads by example, from the first day, with his mood from the first moment in the morning to late at night.

"It is exemplary, and this is something that is infecting the whole team - and it is something that you want to preserve."

Krack was then asked if he would be interested in signing Max Verstappen following the uncertainty over his Red Bull future, but remained neutral.

"Max has a contract, and if I say yes, then you will ask about what if Lewis [Hamilton] was available," he said.

"Let's keep our feet on the ground, and [take things] step by step."