Representatives of Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen have issued a blunt response to speculation alleging Aston Martin is making a pursuit for the Dutchman.
A report by the Daily Mail on Thursday (January 16) claimed Aston Martin had made an extraordinary £1 billion bid to secure Verstappen’s services.
The report went on to quote a source that alleged Aston Martin Managing Director Jefferson Slack was using the lure of Verstappen to attract commercial partners.
“Jefferson, or Jeff as others know him, has been going around saying Max will be joining Aston Martin,” the source said.
An Aston Martin spokesperson has “firmly” denied all claims made by the report.
GP Blog reached out to Verstappen’s team to comment and a short reply was given: “That’s nice.”
This is in keeping with the Dutchman’s mentality towards a move to Aston Martin, having told Viaplay last year that “I haven’t thought about [Aston Martin] at all.”
As it stands, Aston Martin has Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll under contract through 2026 with Verstappen under contract at Red Bull through 2028.
Verstappen, 27, has hinted that he is unlikely to extend his stay in F1 beyond 2028, with other motorsport pursuits outside of the Grand Prix limelight attracting his interest.
Verstappen’s future constantly speculated
In 2024, speculation linked Verstappen with a potential move to Mercedes with Team Principal Toto Wolff vocal in his praise of the Dutchman.
Verstappen achieved a fourth successive title with Red Bull in 2024 but It came with great difficulty as the team was out-developed by McLaren and Ferrari, finishing behind both in the Constructors’ standings.
Red Bull’s issues were highlighted by a 10-race winless run for Verstappen partway through the season.
With rival teams poised to put Red Bull on the back-foot from the get go this year, Verstappen could be frustrated and seek pastures new.
Moreover, it is believed that performance clauses in Verstappen’s contract could allow him to cut ties with Red Bull ahead of 2028.
With Fernando Alonso hinting that 2026 could be his final year in F1, Aston Martin will have a champion-sized void to fill at Silverstone for 2027.
Having signed Adrian Newey and wrestled a Honda engine works deal away from Red Bull, there are factors that could tempt Verstappen to Aston Martin.
With Red Bull losing its design genius and embarking on an in-house engine project for the new regulations in 2026, it could see its performance dip.
However, in his aforementioned comments to Viaplay, a move isn’t on his mind at this moment in time.
Verstappen added “I have achieved a lot of success with [Red Bull] and it just feels like a second family.
“In 2026, of course, there will also be new rules,” he continued.
“But at the moment I’m not that busy with that, to be honest.
READ MORE – Aston Martin denies making £1 billion chase for Max Verstappen signature
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