Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion, has spent his entire career under the banner of Red Bull. However, recent reports have suggested that the Aston Martin team, led by new team principal Andy Cowell, has shown interest in acquiring Verstappen’s services. Aston Martin has allegedly been assembling a $1 billion package to entice the champion, but the rumours were firmly denied by a spokesperson for Aston Martin Aramco earlier this year.
Despite Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull extending until 2028, speculation about his future has been rife, particularly after Red Bull’s rivals started to close the gap on the World Champions last season. When probed about the veracity of the reports linking Verstappen to Aston Martin and the implications for the team, Cowell chose to shift the focus onto their responsibilities towards their existing drivers.
Cowell, who is also serving as the CEO of Aston Martin alongside his team principal role, emphasised the team’s commitment to their current drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Both drivers are on long-term contracts with Aston Martin. Cowell expressed his confidence in their abilities, stating that with the right resources, he is “absolutely certain” that both Alonso and Stroll will deliver commendable performances this season.
Cowell also underlined the team’s obligation to provide a competitive car for its drivers, a feat they admittedly failed to achieve last season. He conceded that the onus is on the team to improve, suggesting that any external pressure should be directed towards them rather than their drivers.
Meanwhile, Verstappen himself has also commented on the reports, particularly on the staggering sum of money involved. Speaking ahead of the F1 75 Live launch, he noted that his interactions with Aston Martin have been primarily related to his GT3 project. Verstappen has been working with Team Redline and Thierry Vermeulen on entering Aston Martin Vantage GT3 cars in the GT World Challenge Europe and setting up his own endurance racing team.
At the moment, Alonso’s contract with Aston Martin lasts until the end of 2026, while Stroll extended his own contract beyond 2025 last year. As the team remains committed to enhancing their car’s performance and supporting their current drivers, the rumoured interest in Verstappen seems to be nothing more than speculation. Nonetheless, the saga certainly adds an intriguing layer to the dynamics of the Formula 1 driver market.
