Max Verstappen has warned Red Bull that signing Fernando Alonso for 2025 would mean breaking its "tradition" of developing and promoting young drivers.
Alonso is currently without a contract for next season and has been linked to both retirement and a move away from Aston Martin.
The two-time world champion has highlighted that he is set to make a decision on whether or not he will continue in F1 before the summer break.
Alonso is rumoured to be an option for Mercedes, whilst Alonso has conceded himself that a seat at Red Bull could have an "impact" over a decision to leave F1 behind.
As things stand, Red Bull has one seat available for 2025, as Sergio Perez's contract expires at the conclusion of this year.
Viewed by others:
'Weird' to sign Alonso
Red Bull broke the tradition of promoting from within its umbrella when it signed Perez to replace Alex Albon at the end of 2020, a move which Verstappen admits did not fit the way the team previously worked.
While a potential Alonso signing does not faze the three-time world champion, Verstappen believes the move would not make sense for the team.
“I don't care who sits next to me. I also said that to the team," Verstappen told Dutch newspaper De Limburger.
"I always believe in myself and in my opinion I can beat everyone. But if you ask me, I would find it weird to sign a 42-year-old driver.
“Red Bull has always had the tradition of training young drivers itself.
"The signing of Sergio didn't match that trend, and with a 42-year-old driver that's especially the case.
"I can get along with Fernando, that's not my point. But I also look at the future of the team. Ultimately it is up to them to determine who drives where.”
Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!