Fernando Alonso made Aston Martin decision ‘with a gun to his head’ amid Mercedes offer

Fernando Alonso’s new contract with Aston Martin he was reportedly pulled over with a ‘gun to his head’ in the middle of a Mercedes offer for 2025while the discovery of Carlos Sainz forced him to make a quick decision.

Alonso announced last week that he will remain in F1 until at least the end of the 2026 season, having signed a new two-year contract with Aston Martin.

Before the signing, it was claimed the Spaniard was ‘pushing hard’ for a seat at Red Bull for 2025 amid uncertainty over Max Verstappen’s future.

It was also thought that Alonso could join Mercedes in 2025 as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton. He announced in February that he will begin a multi-year contract with Ferrari at the end of this season.

The Spanish racing driver, who has been in Formula 1 since 2001, told the media following the contract announcement that the team and driver “both wanted the same thing” for 2025, and Alonso “feels at home” since joining in 2023. based at Silverstone.

However, an article from German publication Auto Motor und Sport has revealed that Alonso’s decision to stay was ‘not completely voluntary’ – with Sainz, who was dropped by Ferrari to make way for Hamilton in 2025 – keeping him. forced to act quickly. (Film about the Hamilton-Ferrari deal)

Alonso’s decision to stay came despite Mercedes offering him a one-year contract if the team failed to persuade Verstappen to leave Red Bull.

The acquisition of Sainz, who will leave Ferrari at the end of the season, allowed Aston Martin to ‘put a gun to the head of their star driver’, risking waiting for the possibility of an opening at Red Bull or Aston Martin’ was. too big’ for Alonso.