At a time when Fernando Alonso is mulling over his Aston Martin and Formula 1 future, rumours of a return to Alpine continue to gather momentum.<\/p>\n
However, Alonso has been warned against leaving Aston Martin<\/a> for such a move. Said warning comes from Juan Pablo Montoya, who fears a fresh Alonso career mistake if the Spaniard were to wave goodbye to Aston Martin, and the Adrian Newey-led team then puts a \u201crocketship\u201d on the track.<\/p>\n Fernando Alonso urged against Aston Martin to Alpine switch<\/p>\n Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Alonso, approaching his 45th birthday, is out of contract at the end of the season. He is considering his future.<\/p>\n One may have thought that his options were simple. Pursue a new Aston Martin contract, or retire from Formula 1. Not exactly.<\/p>\n Speculation linking Alonso with a shock return to Alpine is gathering steam.<\/p>\n Alonso has an extensive history with \u2018Team Enstone\u2019. He won his two world championships with the squad under its Renault identity.<\/p>\n Alonso returned to Renault in 2008 for a two-season spell, and was back again in 2021, as he re-entered Formula 1 to drive for the team now known as Alpine.<\/p>\n Alonso is managed by Alpine advisor and de facto team boss Flavio Briatore and could make a sensational return to Enstone, it has been rumoured.<\/p>\n It is a move which Montoya, seven times a grand prix winner, believes Alonso should not make.<\/p>\n Alonso\u2019s current team, Aston Martin, has suffered an underwhelming start to F1 2026 and its new alliance with Honda. Aston Martin comfortably locked-out the back row in Barcelona, while neither Alonso nor Lance Stroll made it to the chequered flag.<\/p>\n Alpine, meanwhile, sits fifth in the Constructors\u2019 standings. Pierre Gasly made the podium in Monaco, marking Alpine\u2019s best result of the season so far.<\/p>\n Alpine therefore sounds appealing, but Montoya worries that Alonso could cost himself the chance to drive a much-improved Aston Martin, if he made that move to Alpine for F1 2027.<\/p>\n Aston Martin has snubbed smaller upgrades in favour of crafting a major package for the AMR26. That is due to arrive over the summer.<\/p>\n The AMR26 is the first Aston Martin F1 car designed by Adrian Newey, who has contributed to 26 world championship wins with his F1 car designs.<\/p>\n Montoya is widely quoted as having told AS Colombia: \u201cI\u2019d rather see Fernando stay put than go to Alpine.<\/p>\n More on Fernando Alonso from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n Fernando Alonso should have retired three years ago<\/a><\/p>\n Fernando Alonso tipped for stunning Alpine return in final F1 contract twist<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIf Alpine were winning races or fighting for the podium, then I\u2019d say, go for it. Alpine have made a very good step forward, but there are no guarantees they will be able to take the next step.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like Williams \u2013 last year, Williams made a huge leap forward, and we all expected them to be right in the thick of the fight by now. But they\u2019ve gone in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n \u201cSo just imagine, if he leaves\u2026 That\u2019s happened to Fernando before \u2013 he was at McLaren when they were doing terribly; he left and McLaren started performing better. That can happen again.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s at Aston, and he might leave Aston, and suddenly they come out with a rocketship next year.\u201d<\/p>\n Alonso is hoping that Aston Martin\u2019s long-awaited AMR26 upgrade package will fire the team back into the midfield battle.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n