Max Verstappen believes it would be “strange” if Red Bull ꦅsign Fernando A⛄lonso due to his age.

The two-time F1 champion Alonso has reportedly held early tal🍨ks with Red Bull.

If they opt to get rid of Sergio Perez at the end of his🦩 contract this year, they could offer the most coveted car i🌜n the sport to whoever they can entice.

Alonso is o𒊎n the market unless he signs a new deal at Asౠton Martin, or heads elsewhere.

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

“I don't care who sits 🌃next🐬 to me,” Verstappen said to .

“I also said that to the team.

“I alw🦹ays believe in myself and in my opinion I am the boss of everyoꦚne.

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

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

“The si♑gning of Sergio Perez was a departure from that trend, especially with a 42-year-old driver.

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

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

“Ulti🥀mately it is up to them to d🥃etermine who drives where.”

The vacancy at Mercedes in 2025, created 💙by Lewi♚s 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 Bull to entice him across, des𓆉pite a contract that runs until 2028.

But Verstappen has pledged loyalty to Red Bull and looks on course for a fourth F1 title in a row this♊ year.

A🌞lonso is also a major contender for the vacant Mercedes seat.

Carlos S꧃ainz, who is out of ಌa job due to Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari, may also come under consideration at Mercedes.

And if Alonso q🍌uits Aston 🐻Martin, they could look at Sainz.

But Perez’s form in 2024 might yet ea𒁃rn him a new de😼al at Red Bull despite the huge scrutiny on him.

He has also sec🐽ured two P🎀2 finishes behind Verstappen.

For the F1🦩 Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen is on pole position ahead of Perezဣ.