Aston Martin shutdown remarkable Fernando Alonso exit rumour

Aston Martin team principal and CEO Andy Cowell has quashed the suggestion Fernando Alonso could leave the Silverstone squad for Alpine at the end of the F1 season.

David Croft, on commentary duty for Sky Sports F1 during FP3 at the Canadian Grand Prix, mentioned how he had witnessed the Spanish driver go to visit Team Enstone four times over the weekend at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Following the third and final practice session in Montreal, Cowell was interviewed by the UK broadcaster, where the subject of the two-time F1 drivers' champion and the Alpine rumour was brought up by Nico Rosberg.

Cowell, however, was nonplussed by its mention, highlighting how Alonso is under contract with Aston Martin through to the end of the 2026 season.

"Happy for Fernando to wander into any garage," the 56-year-old replied when the 2016 F1 drivers' champion asked if he was confident Alonso would stay with the team or if there is an issue there.

"He knows lots of people up and down the pit lane, and also happy with the fact that he's contracted to us next year and hopefully will stay with us long term as an ambassador with us.

"And it's great working with Fernando, as you know, it's always good to have a competitive person that pushes, just like you used to at Mercedes, and pushes the team on and galvanises the team," he said to Rosberg, having worked together at the Brackley-based team.

Simon Lazenby mused how he may be visiting Flavio Briatore, who was his team principal at the team, then Renault, when he won his two world titles in 2005 and 2006.

Rosberg playfully added how his "old mate" Briatore "doesn't really care about contracts too much" and that it has never stopped the Italian before, to which Cowell replied: "What are you saying?"

The former F1 driver subsequently responded, "Flavio likes to get what he wants", before Lazenby light-heartedly concluded: "No comment coming from Aston Martin."

Alpine's driver situation has been a major talking point in F1 this year, with Jack Doohan sidelined for Franco Colapinto after six rounds.

The Argentine has yet to impress alongside Pierre Gasly after three rounds, leaving the door open for another driver change.

Although, the latest development is speculation that - of Croft's apparent making - has come out of the blue over F1's annual trip to Montreal.