Formula 1: Red Bull Racing deny offering Fernando Alonso a 2019 contract

Fernando Alonso claimed that he rejected a contract offer from Red Bull Racing for the 2019 Formula 1 season, but Red Bull Racing deny offering him one.

Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso announced last week that the 2018 Formula 1 season, which is his 17th season in the sport, will be his final season as a Formula 1 driver, as he is set to retire once the season reaches its conclusion.

The 37-year-old Spaniard claimed that he announced his impending retirement even after he was offered a contract by one of the sport’s top three teams.

Here is what the current McLaren driver 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.”"

Alonso responded by saying “yes” when he was asked if he was referring to Aston Martin Red Bull Racing. However, the Milton Keynes-based team have denied offering a contract to the current McLaren driver.

Here is what Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko had to say about the matter, according to the BBC.

"“We were negotiating with him in 2007 or 2008. His demands were very tedious back then. If you look at his history, in McLaren and Ferrari, it was always a one-man show.”"

Marko also claimed that Alonso, who is in his fifth overall season and fourth consecutive season driving for McLaren, “doesn’t fit with us”.

Here is what Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner previously stated about the team 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.”"

It certainly would not be surprising if Horner stated one thing while another thing was going on behind the scenes while Red Bull Racing were trying to find a replacement driver for Daniel Ricciardo, who made a shocking decision at the beginning of August to sign a two-year contract as Carlos Sainz Jr.’s replacement at Renault Sport.