Fernando Alonso is rumored to be considering a return to Alpine, his former team, amid ongoing struggles for form at Aston Martin. While Alonso had previously expressed his intention to finish his Formula 1 career with Aston Martin, speculation is rife at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix about a potential switch.
Alonso, who will turn 45 in July, has had three previous stints with the Enstone-based outfit, achieving his most successful period with consecutive drivers’ championships in 2005 and ’06 when the team was known as Renault. Recent spells from 2008-09 and 2021-22 were less fruitful.
Reports suggest that Alonso could make a final bid for success with Alpine, as there is mounting speculation that team boss Flavio Briatore, who also serves as Alonso’s manager, may welcome him back. The strong bond between the two could lead Alonso to consider the opportunity should Briatore extend an invitation.
However, a potential move would require Alonso to end his long-standing agreement with Aston Martin. Despite indications that his F1 racing career is nearing its end, his current deal secures him an ambassadorial role with the team post-retirement, ensuring his continued involvement in F1 for years to come.
Aston Martin, despite their potential, is facing challenging times as their performance has not met expectations. The team’s partnership with Honda for engines has had a troubled start, hindering their progress towards the front of the grid and their pursuit of World Championship success.
Alpine, on the other hand, has shown improvement this year after finishing last in the constructors’ championship in 2025. With Briatore back at the helm and the team powered by Mercedes engines, they currently hold the fifth position as the top midfield team in 2026.
Alonso seems optimistic this weekend at one of his home races in Barcelona, where he previously tasted victory in 2013. However, with the Barcelona circuit not on the 2027 race calendar, Alonso acknowledged that this may be his final Formula 1 race at Montmelo.
He mentioned, “It’s going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1. So, I want to say thanks to everyone.” In a separate interview, he hinted at making a decision on his future after the summer break.
In other news, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with 135 channels and comprehensive coverage of Formula 1. Sky offers live coverage of every practice, qualifier, and race throughout the season, in addition to exclusive broadcasting of the Premier League, EFL, darts, and golf.