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via PlanetF1Fernando Alonso splashes out $5 million in eye-watering new purchaseFernando Alonso has expanded his impressive car collection by purchasing a Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse for $5 million. This unique supercar features an aluminum body and a striking red interior, making it the most expensive Bugatti Veyron to date. Alonso was seen taking delivery of the vehicle in Monaco, where onlookers watched as he drove away in the eye-catching machine. The Veyron boasts a top speed of 233 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.6 seconds.
In addition to the Bugatti, Alonso's collection includes a bespoke Pagani Zonda 760 Roadster valued at around $11.7 million, a $10 million Mercedes CLK GTR, and a $3.5 million Aston Martin Valkyrie. As he enjoys his new purchase, Alonso is also contemplating his future in Formula 1, particularly regarding the sport's engine regulations. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has expressed interest in discussing Alonso's potential retirement and the future direction of F1 engines, which may shift towards more internal combustion engine power by 2031.Wikimedia Commons · Off The Track Media · CC BY 2.0Hulkenberg open to racing beyond 40Nico Hulkenberg has expressed his willingness to continue racing in Formula 1 beyond the age of 40, as he prepares to race with Audi through 2027. Having recently turned 39, he is currently one of the older drivers on the grid, alongside Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. Hulkenberg indicated that his future in the sport will depend on his performance and motivation levels.
In his comments, Hulkenberg praised Alonso's impressive performance at his age and highlighted the importance of being happy and motivated to compete. He also dismissed any excessive nostalgia for the older, lighter F1 cars, suggesting that drivers adapt to the current vehicles and that idealizing the past is not realistic.
via F1iDe la Rosa: Stroll ‘unbeatable in many corners’ – as fast as AlonsoPedro de la Rosa, an ambassador for Aston Martin, expressed strong support for Lance Stroll, claiming he is as fast as teammate Fernando Alonso in many corners. De la Rosa emphasized that Stroll is often unbeatable on certain circuits and highlighted his impressive race pace and tire management skills. However, he acknowledged that Stroll has faced challenges in qualifying, which have affected his overall performance.
Despite de la Rosa's glowing remarks, the statistics tell a different story, with Alonso significantly outperforming Stroll in qualifying and points scored. Stroll's recent record of 100 Q1 eliminations raises questions about his qualifying consistency, contrasting with de la Rosa's assertion that Stroll is a world-class driver when the car is performing optimally.
via gpfans.comMartin Brundle claims he would AXE Fernando Alonso from Aston MartinMartin Brundle has expressed that Aston Martin should consider moving on from Fernando Alonso, who is currently weighing his options regarding retirement or continuing for another season. Despite hopes for a competitive 2026 season following chassis upgrades and the signing of Adrian Newey, the team has struggled with performance, sitting at the bottom of the Constructors' standings with only three points.
While Aston Martin is not pressuring Alonso for a quick decision, Brundle believes the team should focus on rebuilding with younger drivers. Team ambassador Pedro De La Rosa acknowledges the existence of a backup plan should Alonso retire but emphasizes the importance of allowing him time to decide. Alonso's recent performance at the Dutch Grand Prix showcased his abilities, but the team's future direction remains uncertain.
via PlanetF1Ralf Schumacher’s blunt verdict on Max Verstappen’s furious Spanish GP outburstDuring the Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton engaged in a contentious battle for position on the opening lap. Verstappen attempted to overtake Hamilton but ended up going off-track, which led to a controversial situation where he was instructed by his team to give the position back to Hamilton. Despite his frustration, Verstappen complied and allowed both Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli to pass him, only to later regain his position against Hamilton before the latter's retirement due to brake failure.
Ralf Schumacher weighed in on the incident, acknowledging Verstappen's frustration but asserting that he did gain an advantage by leaving the track. Verstappen ultimately finished the race in second place, while Hamilton's retirement left him with a challenging situation in the championship standings. Verstappen currently sits sixth in the Drivers' Championship, significantly behind Antonelli.
via PlanetF1Alonso requests Aston Martin review over ‘very bad’ Honda issues at Spanish GPFernando Alonso has called for an investigation into the Honda engine performance following a disappointing race at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he finished in 17th place. He reported significant issues with the engine, particularly with boost control, which hindered his performance and caused him to lose time during the race.
Meanwhile, his teammate Lance Stroll also faced difficulties, retiring from the race due to a brake pedal issue after sustaining damage from debris. Stroll's struggles contributed to Aston Martin's ongoing challenges this season, as they currently sit in 10th place in the Constructors' standings with only three points.
via f1oversteer.comGeorge Russell thought he was going to do a Michael Schumacher before Kimi Antonelli came alongGeorge Russell started the 2026 Formula 1 season strong, winning the opening race in Australia and outpacing Kimi Antonelli in qualifying. However, as the season progressed, Russell has only managed to secure one additional victory, while Antonelli has excelled, achieving eight wins and establishing a significant lead in the championship standings.
The situation has shifted dramatically for Russell, who initially drew comparisons to Michael Schumacher's early struggles at Ferrari. Despite Russell's early dominance over Antonelli, the rookie's impressive performance has left Russell facing the prospect of losing the championship to a teammate, a situation he had hoped to avoid. With discussions now focusing on Antonelli's potential coronation as champion, Russell's chances for the 2027 season remain uncertain.
via f1oversteer.comFernando Alonso’s unheard Spanish GP radio shows Carlos Sainz owes him an apologyDuring the recent Spanish Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz was penalized for an incident involving Fernando Alonso, which led to a heated exchange between the two drivers. Sainz expressed his frustration, claiming Alonso's radio complaints were an attempt to influence the stewards' decision against him.
Alonso's radio messages revealed that he felt Sainz had squeezed him into the wall, and he communicated this to his race engineer. Despite the tension, both drivers had a challenging race, with Sainz retiring early and Alonso finishing far down the order.
via PlanetF1Brundle and Rosberg in fresh disagreement over Fernando Alonso F1 futureIn September 2026, Martin Brundle proposed that Aston Martin should consider replacing Fernando Alonso with younger drivers as part of a team rebuild. This suggestion sparked a disagreement with Nico Rosberg, who defended Alonso's performance against teammate Lance Stroll, arguing that Alonso still outperforms Stroll consistently.
Alonso is contemplating his future in Formula 1, weighing options between continuing until 2027 or retiring after the current season. Despite the uncertainty, he has expressed a desire to stay with Aston Martin, emphasizing that his enjoyment of racing is his primary motivation, rather than the team's results.
via f1oversteer.comHonda chief criticises FIA president's support for AlonsoShintaro Orihara, the chief of Honda, has expressed skepticism regarding FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem's proposed solutions to retain Fernando Alonso in Formula 1. Alonso's future in the sport remains uncertain as discussions continue about his potential continuation.
via RacingNews365Carlos Sainz blames Fernando Alonso for penaltyCarlos Sainz has accused Fernando Alonso of influencing the decision that led to his five-second penalty during the Spanish Grand Prix. Sainz stated that Alonso's radio complaints were a factor in the stewards' ruling regarding their collision.
via f1oversteer.comRalf Schumacher says Fred Vasseur was clearly ‘annoyed’ with Lewis Hamilton before Spanish GPRalf Schumacher observed that Fred Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, expressed annoyance towards Lewis Hamilton ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. This frustration stemmed from the ongoing conflict between Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, which had escalated during the previous race at Monza, where Leclerc's actions led to controversy and criticism of Ferrari's team orders.
During the Spanish GP, Hamilton faced further disappointment as he retired early due to brake failure. This incident, combined with Leclerc's performance, highlighted the challenges Ferrari is facing in maintaining a cohesive team dynamic. Vasseur emphasized the importance of teamwork among drivers to improve their competitive standing in the championship.
via gpfans.comFernando Alonso drops F1 bombshell by saying Aston Martin renewal would be MULTI-year dealFernando Alonso has indicated that if he decides to renew his contract with Aston Martin, it will be for multiple years rather than just a single season. This statement comes amid speculation about his potential retirement from Formula 1, particularly due to dissatisfaction with his team's performance and the current regulations that he feels diminish driver skill.
During a recent event, Alonso engaged with fans who chanted for him to stay, responding ambiguously but suggesting he would continue racing until he feels he can no longer compete effectively. His recent performance at the Madring race saw him finish in 17th place, and he was involved in a controversial incident with Carlos Sainz that led to a penalty for Sainz.Wikimedia Commons · Off The Track Media · CC BY 2.0Ben Sulayem claims Alonso has decided to stayFIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has revealed that Fernando Alonso has privately assured him of his intention to remain in Formula 1. Despite this claim, Alonso has yet to make an official announcement, and discussions with Aston Martin regarding a new contract are reportedly complex, with financial terms and regulatory dissatisfaction being key issues.
Alonso expressed his feelings about the Madrid GP, stating he was unsure if it would be his last race in Spain. He also highlighted the need for improvements in the current F1 product, indicating that his discussions with the FIA are separate from his personal decision. Additionally, Alonso's race was marred by an incident with Carlos Sainz, who received a penalty for the contact.
via f1oversteer.comAlonso and Sainz blame each other for Madrid crashFernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz exchanged accusations following their collision during the race at the Madring circuit. Alonso criticized Sainz for forcing him toward the wall, while Sainz defended himself by calling the penalty excessive and pointing to the track's design.
via f1oversteer.comMartin Brundle says time is up for one Formula 1 driver he absolutely lovesMartin Brundle has expressed that Aston Martin should consider a complete overhaul of their driver lineup, suggesting that Fernando Alonso should be let go as the team looks to rebuild. Despite Alonso being the only driver to score points for Aston Martin this season, the team is struggling at the bottom of the standings, and Brundle believes it's time for a fresh start with younger drivers.
Brundle acknowledges Alonso's contributions to F1 but questions the wisdom of extending his contract given his age and the team's current performance. Alonso's future in the sport seems uncertain, as he has voiced concerns about upcoming regulations, and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has indicated he will try to persuade Alonso to remain in F1.
via Motorsport WeekEx-F1 star urges Spain to ‘not fall asleep’ on producing the next Fernando AlonsoPedro de la Rosa, a former F1 driver, has called for increased investment in young Spanish drivers to ensure the continuation of success in Formula 1, following the legacies of Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz. He emphasized the importance of nurturing new talent to maintain Spain's presence in the sport, especially with the recent addition of the Madring circuit hosting its second Grand Prix.
De la Rosa praised the rapid development of the Madring circuit and highlighted the need for Spanish companies to support emerging drivers. He noted that while Spain currently has notable drivers, the lack of investment could hinder the country's chances of producing future champions. De la Rosa's comments serve as a reminder for Spain to capitalize on its current F1 successes and actively foster the next generation of racing talent.
via F1iFernando Alonso warns F1 must improve before 2031Fernando Alonso has expressed his frustration with the current state of Formula 1, stating that the sport cannot continue in its present form. The Aston Martin driver emphasised the need for significant improvements, insisting that waiting until 2031 for a 'proper sport' is unacceptable.Page 4 of 13
