Christian Horner has revealed that Liberty Media made an attempt to convince Red Bull to sign Fernando Alonso for the 2019 season. Two-time world champion Alonso will leave Formula 1 at the end of the year, removing one of the sport's biggest stars.

Alonso is one of F1's most recognisable racers, alongside current champion Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

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However, he is likely to be an IndyCar driver next year after growing disillusioned with a spell at McLaren that has failed to deliver a podium finish, never mind a race win.

Alonso and Horner have traded jabs over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend over rejected claims from the Spaniard that he has twice turned down the team in 2018.

The Red Bull team boss says Alonso would not fit the criteria they look for in a driver, regardless of ability behind the wheel.

And he has now suggested that Daniel Ricciardo's decision to leave Red Bull for Renault prompted an enquiry from F1's bosses over the chances of offering Alonso the chance to get back into a top team.

Horner said: "There was just an enquiry as to whether we would consider Fernando, which you can understand from a promoter's point of view: Fernando Alonso is a great asset to Formula One.

"If he could be in a competitive car, I'm sure they would prefer him staying than pursuing his 'Triple Crown'.

"I wouldn't expect them to do anything different."

Alonso has claimed that he has rejected six offers to join Red Bull over his F1 career - including two in 2018 - but Horner was insistent that they had not approached the veteran since an attempt to sign him from McLaren in 2007.

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