Aston Martin is closing on a move to acquire Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey and could target a sensational attempt to sign Max Verstappen, according to a report.
Newey’s prospects have attracted much speculation ever since it was announced earlier this season that his prolonged association with Red Bull will end next March.
But although he has made the choice to leave the reigning champions, Newey has expressed that he intends to remain in the series once his Red Bull spell concludes.
Ferrari has been unsuccessful with numerous previous attempts to prise Newey to Maranello and the marque was considered the initial leading candidate in the race.
But links to Ferrari have receded across recent weeks and, according to Autosprint, Aston Martin has clinched a deal which has seen it win Newey’s coveted services.
Autosprint has stated Aston Martin should announce Newey’s impending switch next month due to “contractual constraints” between the design legend and Red Bull.
Aston Martin was known to have tabled a lucrative proposal to Newey as soon as his Red Bull exit was published, while he is believed to have toured the team’s base.
The Silverstone-based squad is aiming to turn into a title contender in the coming seasons with billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll instigating a mass recruitment drive.
Ex-Mercedes engine boss Andy Cowell has been named Group Chief Executive Officer, while Enrico Cardile has exited Ferrari to become the side’s Technical Director.
To complement the big-name recruits that have been made, Stroll has invested in an expansion at its Silverstone headquarters which will include an all-new simulator.
Aston Martin boss Mike Krack has been reticent on Newey’s possible signing during recent months, but he has expressed that the team would be open to more hires.
Autosprint has also posted that Newey, who is reported to be in line to earn 100 million dollars in four years, could help with Stroll’s desire to land Verstappen in 2026.
Verstappen retains a contract with Red Bull through 2028 and he has pledged his commitment to the team on several occasions amid speculation over his prospects.
However, the Dutchman’s father, Jos, has continued to be at odds with Red Bull boss Christian Horner since an internal probe was launched into the latter’s behaviour.
Although Horner was cleared from allegations of inappropriate conduct, Verstappen Sr was adamant that his continued place at the helm could “tear apart” Red Bull.
Since then, Newey has communicated his desire to exit the organisation, while long-time Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley will also depart once this season ends.
Those revelations have come during a time when Red Bull’s competitiveness on the track has waned as Verstappen, who has a 78-point lead, hasn’t won in four races.
Verstappen has grown agitated with Red Bull losing ground to both McLaren and a resurgent Mercedes, arguing in Hungary that “some people need to wake up a bit”.
Mercedes has been angling to be best placed should Verstappen become available, with Team Principal Toto Wolff having repeated his wish to sign the F1 champion.
Autosprint has reported that Aston Martin is also sizing up an audacious bid to attract Verstappen to spearhead its charge once revised regulations are implemented.
Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll boast deals through 2026, but exit clauses are commonplace in contracts and are something the side has utilised beforehand.
Sergio Perez’s long-term deal when the team ran under the Racing Point guise was broken in 2020 to allow Sebastian Vettel to be signed for the Aston Martin venture.
According to Autosprint, negotiations with Verstappen’s camp have commenced in a potential deal which would see the three-time F1 title winner reunite with Honda.
Honda has supplied the engines that have powered Verstappen to his championships and the Japanese marque will embark upon a tie-up with Aston Martin in 2026.
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