F1 LIVE: Fernando Alonso screwed over by Verstappen as Helmut Marko gives Mercedes hope | F1 | Sport

Max Verstappen may have ruined Fernando Alonso’s chances of banking a career-changing move to Red Bull.

The Dutchman has stressed the importance of youth at Red Bull and believes that hiring the Spaniard would be an ‘odd’ move by Christian Horner due to his age.

Alonso is out of contract at Aston Martin once this season ends and the two-time F1 world champion has hinted at joining one of the front-runners.

“It doesn’t matter to me who’s next to me, I also told that to the team,” Verstappen told De Limburger. “I will always believe in myself and in my opinion I am the best out of everyone.

“But if you ask me, I would find it odd to hire a driver that’s 42 years old. Red Bull have always had the tradition of training young drivers themselves.

“The signing of Sergio Perez already differentiates from that tradition, and especially now with a driver that’s 42.

“I can get along with Fernando very well, that’s not the issue, but I am also looking at the future of the team. Ultimately, it is up to the team to determine who drives where.”