Max Verstappen believes it would be “strange” if Red 🐻Bull sign Fernando Alonso due to his age.

The two-time F1 champion Alonso has reportedly held early talks with Red 𒁃Bull.

If they ꦓopt to get rid of Ser🅰gio Perez at the end of his contract this year, they could offer the most coveted car in the sport to whoever they can entice.

Alonso is on the market unless he signs a new deal at Aston Martin, or heads elsewℱhere.

But, at 42, he is the oldest driver on the grid.

“I do🅘n't care who sits next to meও,” Verstappen said to .

“I also said that to the team.

“I always believe in myself and in my opin⛦ion I am the boss of everyone.

“But if you ask me, I would find it strange to sign a 42-year-old🐓 driver.

“Red Bull has always had the tradition꧟ of training 🔜young drivers itself.

“The signing of Sergio Perez was a depa෴rture from that trend, especially with a𒁃 42-year-old driver.

“I can get along with Fernando, that's not it.

“But I also look at the future of the team. 

“U🅰lti🐼mately it is up to them to determine who drives where.”

The vacaꦍncy at Mercedes in 2025, created by Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, is also a major seat for the driver market.

Verstappen himself holds the 🀅key - Mercedes are interested in taking advantage of any internal issues at Red Bu🦂ll to entice him across, despite a contract that runs until 2028.

But Verstappen has pওledged loyalty to Red Bull and l🐎ooks on course for a fourth F1 title in a row this year.

Alonso ꧂is also a major contender for the vacant Mercedes seat.

Carlos S𝔉ainz, who is out of a job due to Hamil🧸ton’s arrival at Ferrari, may also come under consideration at Mercedes.

And if Al✅onso quits Aston ▨Martin, they could look at Sainz.

But Perez’s form in 2024 might yet ⛦earn him a new deal at Red Bull despite the huge scrutiny on him.

He has also secured two P2 finishes beh꧋ind Verstappen.

For the F1 Japanese Grand Prix♔, Verstappen is on pole position ahead of Perez.