Max Verstappen has backed Red Bull’s claim that Fernando Alonso was never considered to replace Daniel Ricciardo for 2019.
At the Belgian Grand Prix, the Spaniard, who had announced his departure from F1 the week prior, caused a stir by suggesting he had been approached by the Milton Keynes outfit on multiple occasions during his career, including twice this year alone.
Team boss Christian Horner denied that and the Dutchman reaffirmed that by saying he was kept in the loop.
“Alonso was not an option for 2019. It’s something I know,” he said at an event back in Holland.
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Instead, it will be Pierre Gasly that has what some might call the dubious honour of partnering the 20-year-old at Red Bull next season.
“I think I can get along very well with Pierre (Gasly) and I think they have also evaluated that, so I am satisfied knowing that they have chosen him,” Max commented.
The Frenchman got the seat over Carlos Sainz, who many believed was first in line for a promotion, with the Spaniard instead going to McLaren taking Alonso’s seat.
“I am convinced that in 2016 and 2017 that if there was a gap at Red Bull then I would have got it but Ricciardo and Verstappen were fixed,” he told Sky Sports.
“Then I left for Renault and had a very good year, but inevitably I lost a bit of touch and Red Bull didn’t have as much information, so they went for the safe option with Gasly, which I fully back because he is a great driver and deserves the Red Bull chance.”