Marko reveals why Alonso will never be Verstappen's teammate

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed why he doesn't see Fernando Alonso ever becoming Max Verstappen's Formula 1 teammate.

In a decision taken earlier this year, Alonso has committed his F1 future to the Aston Martin project, putting to bed any suggestions of a move elsewhere.

Alonso has come close to joining Red Bull on several occasions in the past, but never penned a deal.

The Spaniard was briefly linked with a move to the Milton Keynes-based outfit for 2025 - however Marko outlined that a partnership with Verstappen would not work.

“Well, there have been conversations,” Marko told Formel1.de. 

“But as I mentioned before, a harmonious work environment is very important to Max and I think that probably would not have been the case with Alonso.”

Opposite personalites

Despite being 43 years of age, Alonso has committed to race into 2026 - 20 years on from his last world championship-winning season. 

While both Verstappen and Alonso have voiced mutual respect for one another, Marko believes the duo are too different to work smoothly together.

“No, I think it would be very difficult for a team,” he said. 

“Alonso would be the oldest World Champion on the team, Max the youngest, and they are generations apart.

“I don’t think Alonso does sim racing or gets into a simulator on a plane right after a Grand Prix. So they are two opposite personalities, both very good drivers and also personalities.

“But when it comes to seeing who is faster neither of them are very modest. And it would be very, very difficult for a team to take that in a positive direction.”