Aston Martin has denied making a reported £1 billion pursuit for Formula 1 reigning champion Max Verstappen.
Verstappen is operating at the peak of his powers and the stats suggest no driver can match him as it stands in F1 off the back of four successive titles.
As a result, speculation has linked the Dutchman with potential suitors should he wish to part ways with Red Bull in the future, such as Mercedes or Aston Martin.
Aston Martin Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack went as far as to say last year that “The door for Verstappen is always open, for everything,” (via RacingNews365).
A report in the Daily Mail claims Aston Martin has made a huge swing to secure Verstappen’s services in the future.
Currently, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are contracted with the team until 2026.
Verstappen, meanwhile, is contracted with Red Bull through 2028 but it is understood there are clauses in the Dutchman’s contract that would allow him to make an early departure.
The paths the two teams are on are interesting to consider.
Red Bull, one of the top dogs in F1 has just relinquished its hold atop the Constructors’ standings amid Verstappen’s fourth Drivers’ title and is embarking on an in-house engine project for the new power unit regulations in 2026.
That, in part, comes thanks to Honda leaving Red Bull to become the works engine partner of Aston Martin for 2026 and beyond.
F1 design guru Adrian Newey, one of the masterminds of Red Bull’s ascension from F1 newcomer in 2005 to a championship-winning outfit by 2010 is also switching to Aston Martin.
According to the Daily Mail’s report, Aston Martin wants to lure Verstappen with a £1 billion deal to leave Red Bull as well.
In addition, the report suggested that Aston Martin was dangling the carrot of Verstappen’s potential signature to attract commercial partners.
Both of these claims have been categorically denied by Aston Martin.
Verstappen hasn’t considered Aston Martin
It’s easy to understand why Verstappen could be tempted by Aston Martin.
The team has his trusted collaborators Newey and Monday coming on board and has unveiled a state-of-the-art factory and wind tunnel to develop its 2026 machine.
In addition, its fledgling Hypercar project in the FIA World Endurance Championship and extensive practice in GT Racing provide Verstappen with pursuits to enjoy beyond his F1 career.
However, in a discussion with Viaplay, Verstappen has ruled out even considering a move to the Silverstone-based team.
”No, I haven’t talked about that at all either, just nothing at all.
“At the moment I haven’t thought about that at all.”
For now, Verstappen is adamant he’s happy in his current surroundings at Red Bull, saying: “I have achieved a lot of success with them and it just feels like a second family.”
Verstappen acknowledged that: “In 2026, of course, there will also be new rules.
“But at the moment I’m not that busy with that, to be honest,” he added.
READ MORE – Max Verstappen responds to Aston Martin F1 speculation
Discussion about this post