Fernando Alonso responds to Red Bull switch speculation - 'I will make sure there are consequences'

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso has warned there will be "consequences" for people spreading "rumours" he will switch to Red Bull.

Social media speculation about Alonso's future started to spread following last weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix. The two-time world champion dismissed the claims as he told reporters ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix that he was "not enjoying" the rumours.

"Just rumours - the normal paddock rumours - from people that just try to make fun of it and gain some followers and this kind of thing, but I’m not into that game," he said.

"You are all journalists, professional people who have been in F1 for many years, and you gained your respect, and this is how it should be.

"The rumours are coming from people who are not in this room, are just there to make fun. And it is not funny when they play with anything."

Alonso then added: "I will make sure there are consequences."

The speculation suggested that Alonso would replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull, but both drivers are under contract with their respective teams until the end of 2024.

Perez has struggled in recent races, crashing out in front of a home crowd in Mexico. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton has now closed the gap on Perez to just 20 points in the race for second behind in the drivers' championship behind Max Verstappen.

But Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has claimed it is their "intention" to keep Perez with them next season.

Aston Martin are also struggling with a decline in form after getting off to a brilliant start this season, with Alonso securing six podium finishes in the first eight races.

But he has now fallen from third to fifth in the drivers' standings, and his current position is being threatened by McLaren's Lando Norris, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes' George Russell. Aston Martin have also sunk from third to fifth in the constructors' championship.

"We are not as competitive as we wanted and we all try to get to our best level, which is not the one we are showing now," Alonso said.

"We are analysing some of the upgrades we brought lately. Here in Brazil we have a sprint format and maybe it is a more traditional weekend for us not experimenting as much as the last two.

"Obviously we are not happy, [team principal) Mike (Krack) is not happy, no one is happy with the current form.

"But at the same time, as I said a few races ago, this team was 250 people two years ago and now we are in this transition to be hopefully a contender for the future - 800 people, new factory, seven podiums this year, 200 points more than last year. These kinds of things which are not the current form.

"We should not be happy but we cannot be too dramatic about the situation when this 2023 campaign has been a super season for us."

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