Alonso claims he rejected Red Bull offer

Fernando Alonso has claimed that he was offered the chance to replace Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull but rejected it as he has grown disenchanted with Formula 1 as a whole. Pierre Gasly has been confirmed as Max Verstappen's team-mate for next season, but Alonso has claimed he had first refusal.

Alonso's comments appear to fly on the face of a suggestion from Red Bull team principal Christian Horner that suggested the two-time champion had not been considered to replace Ricciardo.

Horner told the official Formula 1 podcast 'Beyond the Grid': "It'd be very difficult to see. He's tended to cause a bit of chaos wherever he's gone. I'm not sure it would be the healthiest thing for Fernando to join the team."

Alonso has since confirmed that he will not race in F1 next year - with a move to IndyCar likely - having apparently rejected a reunion with the Honda power unit he endured for three years with McLaren.

"From one of the top three teams, l the offer a couple of times this year," Alonso told Sky Sports.

"It was not the case for me to join that adventure and at the moment Formula 1 is not giving me the challenges I'm looking for.

"Outside Formula 1, I'm discovering different series of motorsport that give you different challenges and makes you a more complete driver and that's what I'll try to find in 2019.

When asked if he was referring to Ricciardo's seat at Red Bull, Alonso replied: "Yes."

Alonso's claim perhaps brings a new light on a tweet he sent following Horner's comments, which contained a hashtagged: "From last week no thanks."

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????!!! definitely one of the best things ever!!! Summer hit !!????????????????????????????. #fromlastweekNothanks https://t.co/IaFD3tIMh4 — Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) August 9, 2018