No swap between Perez and Alonso? 'That rumour was not about drivers'

It was Spanish F1 journalist Albert Fabrega who started an interesting rumour in the week after the Mexico GP without actually saying anything about it. It was thought that Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez would swap seats, but the journalist is now debunking that story.

All Fabrega posted in a message on X was: "I don't want to believe the rumour they told me in the paddock now. No." From there, the rumour took on a life of its own. The Spanish media quickly agreed that a "magic switch" might be coming up between Alonso and Perez.

Fabrega debunks rumour about driver switch

According to a further rumour, Alonso would leave Aston Martin and take a seat alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull. Perez would more or less return to his former team. Perez left Aston Martin when it was still Racing Point. While the hearts of many F1 fans were already beating faster - a dream team consisting of Verstappen and Alonso seemed to be in the making - Fabrega has now put an end to this rumour.

Fabrega posted another message on X on the Wednesday prior to the Brazilian GP weekend and said the following: "Already present at Interlagos. By the way, for anyone who has asked me about the rumour, all I can say is that it has nothing to do with a driver change between teams or a resignation."

Ya en Interagos. Por cierto, para los muchos que me habéis preguntado por el rumor, solo deciros que no tenía nada que ver con intercambios de pilotos entre equipos, ni retiradas. A por el #BrazilianGP !

— Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) November 1, 2023