Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft sparked a new paddock rumour at the Canadian Grand Prix by talking about Fernando Alonso’s visits to other teams during a live broadcast

Fernando Alonso has been getting out and about in the Montreal F1 paddock(Image: Getty Images)

Fernando Alonso has been spotted entering the hospitality unit of a rival Formula 1 team on several occasions in Montreal this weekend. That was reported by David Croft who exposed the Spaniard’s visits during a live broadcast at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Alonso is in his third season as an Aston Martin driver. And he has a contract until at least the end of the 2026 season, having last year signed an extension to commit to driving in F1 until he is at least 45 years old.

But Sky Sports F1 commentator Croft has sparked suggestions that he might be looking elsewhere. Speaking during final practice in Montreal on Saturday, he revealed how Alonso had been seen visiting his old team Alpine no fewer than four times.

The Spaniard left Alpine at the end of 2022, ending his third spell with the Enstone-based team having previously won two F1 titles at Renault under Flavio Briatore in the mid-2000s. And Croft has now sparked rumours of a reunion between them.

He said: “Where there’s an Alpine story about driver movement, there’s a Fernando Alonso rumour as well. Those rumours once again surfacing this morning in the paddock. Fernando Alonso has been into the Alpine motorhome four times during the course of this weekend.

“That’s not just to see his old mate Flav, even though his mum and dad are in town and I’m sure they’ve been having a bit of a catch up. Is something going on that could see Fernando Alonso back at Enstone again for a fourth time? Watch this space on that one, that’s just the paddock rumour.”

But the Argentine has struggled since being elevated into that racing role and Briatore has already shown signs of impatience. Alonso’s visits to the Alpine motorhome will only serve to fuel speculation that he might be an option for them going forward.

Briatore signed Alonso to Renault in the first place, having controversially dropped Jenson Button to make room for him two decades ago. They have maintained a relationship ever since, Briatore continuing to manage the Spaniard’s career.

But if race seat options have indeed been the topic of discussion during Alonso’s visits to the Alpine hospitality unit, then it may not necessarily just be about the veteran double F1 champion. Alonso also serves as manager to Sauber racer Gabriel Bortoleto, plus a couple of drivers in the feeder series’ including Pepe Marti and Nikola Tsolov.