SAO PAOLO:
Veteran drivers Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo denied on Thursday that they were leaving their teams to join Red Bull next season.
Two-time world champion Alonso, 42, has been angered by claims he will quit the Aston Martin team to take Sergio Perez’s place alongside world champion Max Verstappen.
He dismissed the speculation as “the usual paddock rumours, from people trying to make fun of it and get some followers (on social media).
Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, he added: “I will make sure there are consequences.”
When asked to elaborate, a team spokesman advised the Spaniard not to go any further.
Ricciardo also dismissed widespread reports that he is set to replace Perez and stressed that he is happy to return to racing in Formula 1 with Alpha Tauri.
The 34-year-old Australian, who finished an impressive seventh at last Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix after qualifying fourth, said he was only focused on Alpha Tauri and maintaining his improved form.
“All the stuff around my contract next year has to do with Alpha Tauri – I’d say that’s honestly as far as it goes,” he told reporters.
His strong performance was the team’s best of the season and lifted Alpha Tauri from 10th to eighth in the constructors’ championship.
“For me personally, a weekend like Mexico is definitely good for the soul,” he added.
“And also for the team. I haven’t been here long but to be 10th in the constructors and to jump two places in the space of two weekends was huge.
“I think it creates a very happy atmosphere around everyone. I’m happy to do it and I’ll try to keep charging where I’m at.”
The Australian’s return to form after recovering from a broken arm prompted widespread speculation that he would be promoted from Red Bull’s youth team to its senior team.
But Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has so far kept his faith in Perez, who crashed out of last Sunday’s race in Mexico at the first corner, and said the team would help him regain his confidence .
Newly crowned three-time world champion Max Verstappen, who won in Mexico, raced alongside Ricciardo at the Red Bull team for two seasons from 2016 to 2018.
He said he had no talks about changing teammates, but added that he had enjoyed his relationship with both Perez and Ricciardo.
“I’ve always had a great relationship with Daniel when we were team-mates and I also have one with Czeko, so it’s unfair to say who I’d prefer,” he said.
“It’s not up to me to make those decisions because I’m very focused on my own performance.”
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