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Formula 1: Fernando Alonso says he rejected Red Bull Racing contract

By Asher Fair

SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 23: Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren F1 talks to the media in the Paddock during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 23, 2018 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 23: Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren F1 talks to the media in the Paddock during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 23, 2018 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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Fernando Alonso recently announced that he will be retiring from Formula 1 at the end of this season, but he claims he rejected a contract offer from Red Bull Racing before making this announcement.

Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso recently announced that the 2018 Formula 1 season will be his last, as he is set to retire from the sport once the remaining nine races of the season are completed.

Alonso, who is currently in his 17th season in Formula 1 and his fifth season driving for McLaren, claimed that before he announced that he will be retiring upon the conclusion of the 2018 season, he was offered a contract by Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, which he rejected.

Here is what the 37-year-old Spaniard had to say about the matter, according to Sky Sports.

"“From one of the top three teams, l already had an offer a couple of times already this year. It was not the case for me to join that adventure. At the moment, F1 is not giving me the challenges l am looking for.”"

When asked whether he was referring to Red Bull Racing when he stated that he was offered a contract by “one of the top three teams”, Alonso responded by saying “yes”.

Red Bull Racing announced in June that they will be ending their 12-year partnership with Renault at the end of the season, as they are set to switch from Renault engines to Honda engines at the end of this season.

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One of the team’s current two drivers, Daniel Ricciardo, made a shocking decision about one and a half months later to sign a two-year contract to begin driving for Renault Sport as Carlos Sainz Jr.’s replacement beginning next year.

This left Red Bull Racing with one seat open, for which Alonso was one of the possible replacement candidates. However, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner stated that he did not believe it would be in the best interests of the Milton Keynes-based team to sign Alonso.

Here is what Horner had to say about Red Bull Racing potentially signing Alonso for the 2019 season, according to Motorsport.com.

"“I’ve got huge respect for Fernando, he’s a great, fantastic driver, but it would be very difficult to see. He’s tended to cause a bit of chaos wherever he’s gone. I’m not sure it would be the healthiest thing for the team for Fernando to join. Our preference would be to continue to invest in youth than take a driver who is obviously close to the end of his career.”"

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Do you believe that Fernando Alonso was offered a contract to drive for Red Bull Racing in the 2019 Formula 1 season?

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