Shanna is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog, specializing in both F1 and endurance and GT racing. With a Master’s degree in Journalism and experience at international circuits, she provides in-depth, reliable coverage and insights based on her presence at Grands Prix and racing events worldwide.
Fernando Alonso has said that he will use the summer break to think carefully about his future, a decision that will have huge ramifications well beyond Aston Martin.
According to paddock chatter, a move to Alpine could beckon if Honda’s power unit doesn’t deliver at Zandvoort, while Williams’ drivers are also being drawn into the speculation.
That Aston Martin would look to Williams if Alonso were to leave comes as no surprise to GPblog.
As we have written several times, Carlos Sainz has an expiring contract and he, too, will have to decide during the summer break whether to re-sign with Williams.
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The Spaniard isn’t happy at the British team, and Aston Martin could therefore seriously consider Sainz, provided Alonso stops - which is not a given.
The two-time world champion has a contract to stay at Aston Martin, but according to F1 journalist Joe Saward, there is little doubt that Alonso is eyeing a switch to Alpine if his current team fails to make clear progress with the new Honda engine at Zandvoort.
The new engine was already tested during a filming day after the Hungarian Grand Prix, and at Zandvoort after the summer break, it will be coupled with the new B-spec car that impressed at the Hungaroring.
Fernando Alonso may look to Alpine again - Photo: RacePictures
Saward also reports rumours that Franco Colapinto is interested in a seat at Williams. The Argentine could then return to the Grove-based team, to whom he was effectively loaned to from Alpine previously.
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The picture would be complete if Alonso takes Colapinto’s seat at Alpine, Colapinto goes to Williams, and Sainz moves to Aston Martin if he feels Williams will not make sufficient progress this year.
In the coming weeks until the end of the summer break, Alonso and Sainz will have plenty to ponder. Sainz has been critical of his team for some time and recently hinted at a departure.
"It depends on how quickly we recover from this situation,” he said. “I obviously had a timeframe in mind that I was willing to accept to get this team back into a winning position, and how long I was willing to wait to fight for wins again. Clearly, this is going to take longer.”
He understands that Williams is working hard behind the scenes to make progress, but at the same time found that the massive upgrade package from Aston Martin showed his current team’s lack of progress.
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He added: "It’s just that this year’s car, for whatever reason, is performing well below par and, for various reasons that I don’t want to go into today, is totally not meeting our expectations.
“I need to change my mindset now, looking at where I’ll be in three to four years and make a decision based on that."
Carlos Sainz believes Williams are underperforming - Photo: RacePictures
It’s also no secret that Alonso is openly questioning his future. Speaking to outlets including GPblog, the Spaniard said this is largely due to the regulations, rather than his team.
"As I said at Spa, I didn’t enjoy driving the Grands Prix at Silverstone and Spa. I don’t enjoy watching it, it’s not fun to drive, and we repeat the same thing every Grand Prix. It’s not to be critical. It’s just to improve the sport as a whole," Alonso said.
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"I think the direction we’ve taken this year, from the driver’s perspective - I don’t know how it is for the spectators - but in the cockpit, the adrenaline is not the same as it used to be in a Formula 1 car.
“That’s something I need to discuss. It’s simply a question of whether Formula 1 still gives me the adrenaline I need to live."
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Friday 21.08.26
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