Horner: There was no offer to Fernando Alonso for next year

The question is who to believe in this spat that has played out in the media between Horner and Alonso, the Spaniard claiming that the energy drinks outfit offered him Daniel Ricciardo's seat for next year - one of several offers they made to him over the years he insisted.

Horner earlier this month said in an interview that Alonso was not on the team's radar because he tended to cause chaos and at this stage of his career the veteran does not fulfil Red Bull's ethos of promoting through their own pool of young talent.

Alonso, who will quit F1 at the end of this season, ridiculed Horner's comment and fired back when he revealed to Sky that he received offers from Red Bull "in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and two this year – one in Monaco and one in August."

The latter offer, claimed by the double F1 World Champion, clearly suggesting there was contact between the two parties in the wake of Ricciardo's bombshell announcement to defect to Renault next year.

But on Saturday at Spa, Horner repeated what he had said earlier in the week, "Just to be totally clear, there was no offer to Fernando Alonso for next year. He is a fantastic driver, he’s a great talent in Formula One. He’s obviously chosen his path."

"We had an enquiry from Flavio Briatore, and from Liberty Media, as to whether we would consider Fernando. Which you can understand from a promoter’s point of view: Fernando Alonso is a great asset to Formula 1."

"If he could be in a competitive car I’m sure they would prefer him staying than pursuing his triple crown. I wouldn’t expect them to do anything different."

"But the position within Red Bull has always been very clear that we invest in youth and have a talent pool through the Red Bull Junior Programme."

"As has been the case with Sebastian Vettel, Kvyat, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, we’re always going to draw upon the talent pool that we have."

"We have offered Fernando a contract in the past, but that was back in 2007," added Horner almost totally contradicting Alonso's claims.

Meanwhile, Red Bull announced that Toro Rosso rookie Pierre Gasly, a graduate from their young driver programme, will step up in 2019 to replace Ricciardo and slot in alongside Max Verstappen in the team.

https://www.grandprix247.com/2018/08/24/alonso-i-got-red-bull-offers-in-2007-2009-2011-2013-and-two-now/