Formula One news

Mateschitz: Alonso was only available for one season

Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz has said that Fernando Alonso was very interested to join his team in the 2008 Formula 1 season, but as the Spaniard was only available for one season he was not an option for Red Bull Racing. The Austrian business man was only interested in Alonso if he would commit himself for at least two years to the team.

Dietrich Mateschitz

"Fernando told Spanish media Red Bull F1 was his favourite team to join in 2008," Mateschitz told Spanish newspaper El Mundo. "His situation was complicated though as he was only available for just one season.

"I believe he is one of the best drivers out there, but we wouldn't be able to give him the right car just yet in 2008. He would have left after one year again and that wouldn't be the best exposure for our brand really. It was the best in everyone's interest that he would join Renault."

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