Ex-Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle believes that Aston Martin’s signing of design genius Adrian Newey will help the team to attract “star drivers” like Max Verstappen.
Aston Martin has announced the long-awaited news that Newey has signed a long-term deal to become the side’s new Managing Technical Partner from March 2025.
Autosprint, who was the initial publication to report on Newey’s next destination, claimed that team owner Lawrence Stroll had begun negotiations to sign Verstappen.
The Dutchman is contracted to Red Bull until 2028, but the team’s recent regression in competitiveness and friction behind the scenes could lead to an earlier release.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been angling to land Verstappen should he end up available, revealing that conversations with his entourage took place in the summer.
However, Verstappen’s strong relationship with Newey at Red Bull and Aston Martin’s impending tie-up with engine supplier Honda could create another viable choice.
Brundle, who competed against Max’s dad Jos in his F1 career, thinks the chance to work with Newey will make the best drivers on the grid interested in Aston Martin.
When asked on Sky Sports News whether Verstappen will be “next” on Stroll’s shopping list, Brundle replied: “Absolutely, that’s the thing with someone like Newey.
“You’re going to attract the star players, the star drivers. They’re going to want to be part of that.
“There’s no price list for F1 drivers, Premiership footballers or the likes of Adrian Newey. You’re worth what somebody is prepared to pay you.
“Lawrence Stroll didn’t become a billionaire because he’s careless with money.
“He knows what he’s spending. It will help attract other talent as well and focus, and sponsors, and investors in the team.
“It could end up actually being a bargain providing the car that goes fast. At the end of the day that’s what it’s all about – what the stopwatch says. All of the rest is just noise.”
A possible Verstappen switch to Aston Martin could depend on when Fernando Alonso, who holds a new contract through the 2026 F1 season, intends to stop racing.
Alonso’s timeline should prove to be essential to Stroll’s potential scheme to attain the three-time F1 champion as his son, Lance, occupies the other seat in the team.
However, Autosprint has since publicised that an alternative is that Stroll could be ushered to Aston Martin’s World Endurance Championship venture to create space.
Verstappen was associated with Aston Martin when the marque partnered with Red Bull, while Honda has expressed a desire to cross paths again with the champion.
The Japanese brand has been the architect behind the engines that have powered Verstappen to his three F1 Drivers’ Championships to date between 2021 and 2023.
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