Alonso seeking apology from Horner

Fernando Alonso says that he wants an apology from Red Bull team principal Christian Horner following the Briton's recent comments criticising the Spaniard, stating that he causes issues at whatever team he goes to. 

At the beginning of August, Daniel Ricciardo announced that he would be leaving Red Bull before the end of the season. Before Pierre Gasly was confirmed as his replacement, some speculated that Alonso could be heading to the energy drink squad.

But Horner said: "I'm not sure it would be the healthiest thing for Fernando to join the team. I think our preference would be to continue to invest in youth than take a driver who is obviously close to the end of his career."

However, on Thursday in Belgium, Alonso stated that he had multiple offers from Red Bull throughout his career, including two this season: "I had a couple of offers from Red Bull," Alonso told SkySports F1. "In fact I had in 2007, in 2009, in 2011, '13, and two this year, one in Monaco, and one in August."

Alonso questioned Horner and Dr Helmut Marko's comments regarding him being difficult to work with, as he pointed out that he has never been involved with either of them: "I'm happy you asked me this question, because the comments of Christian Horner this summer and Mr Marko are completely out of context, surprise comments about me creating chaos, difficult man to work with.

"One, they never worked with me, and secondly they've been chasing me for five or six occasions in the last seven years, and now they say that, that they are loyal to their programme and their commitments and their junior drivers. It has been weird, it has been unfair to me. I wrote to Christian after his comments thus summer, he apologised by email, and hopefully he'll apologise again this weekend."

Horner kept his stance on the situation, saying that Alonso's management reached out to Red Bull when Ricciardo made his announcement - but insists that Red Bull made no move to sign the double-world champion.

"Obviously Flavio reached out, even FOM reached out, but it was clear from the onset," Horner told Channel 4 during the first free practice session. "We did offer Fernando Alonso a contract, but that was back in 2007. To my knowledge, no one within Red Bull has offered him one since.

"He's a wonderful driver, he's a great talent, but it just doesn't fit the profile of our team, our investment in youth and the junior programme that's been so successful over the last 10 years," Horner added.

Alonso announced his decision mid-August to walk away from F1 at the end of the 2018 season. The Spaniard did not take part in the first free practice session this morning, as McLaren's reserve driver Lando Norris took over his car for the weekend's opening session.

Fergal Walsh