Aston Martin 'in talks with Max Verstappen' as

Aston Martin ‘in talks with Max Verstappen’ as Lawrence Stroll puts…read more.

Aston Martin is reportedly eyeing Max Verstappen as a potential future signing, following their recent high-profile acquisition of Adrian Newey from Red Bull Racing. After months of speculation, Newey’s move to Aston Martin was confirmed this week, with the renowned engineer signing on as both a shareholder and the managing technical partner. He is expected to officially assume his new role in March 2025, which is seen as a significant coup for Aston Martin and a major blow to Red Bull.

Newey’s departure has also fueled rumors regarding Verstappen’s future with Red Bull. The Dutch driver, who has been a pivotal part of Red Bull’s success in recent years, is currently contracted to the team until the end of 2028. However, according to Italian publication Autosprint, Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll is already in negotiations with Verstappen, reportedly preparing to offer him a lucrative financial package to lure him away from Red Bull.

Stroll, a Canadian billionaire, is believed to be willing to spare no expense in his pursuit of Verstappen, just as he did to secure Newey’s services. This approach positions Stroll in a place of strength as he looks to bolster his team, especially given that Newey is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Formula 1. The prospect of working with Newey again could prove enticing for Verstappen, who has often cited the technical mastermind as a key reason behind Red Bull’s dominance in recent seasons.

Although Verstappen has also been linked with a potential future move to Mercedes, Stroll’s aggressive recruitment of Newey and his financial resources put Aston Martin in a prime position to make a serious bid for the Dutch star. Verstappen, who is currently a three-time world champion at the age of 26, would bring immense value to Aston Martin, not only as a proven race-winner but also as a driver capable of shaping a team around his talents.

Compounding the speculation is the fact that Red Bull’s current engine partnership with Honda is set to conclude at the end of the 2025 season. Aston Martin, which will begin its own engine supply deal with Honda starting in 2026, could further bolster its bid to attract Verstappen by offering a cutting-edge technical package. Given Honda’s pedigree in Formula 1, the combination of Newey’s technical expertise and Honda’s engineering prowess may prove to be an irresistible offer for Verstappen.

Moreover, Aston Martin’s current technical director, Dan Fallows, previously worked with Verstappen at Red Bull before making the switch to Aston Martin in 2021. This pre-existing working relationship between Fallows and Verstappen could serve as another factor in persuading the Dutchman to consider a move to Stroll’s team.

However, Verstappen’s potential arrival would leave Aston Martin facing tough decisions regarding their current driver lineup. The team currently employs Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion, and Lance Stroll, the team owner’s son. Both drivers are under contract until the end of the 2026 season, which means that one of them would need to have their deal terminated prematurely if Verstappen were to join.

On paper, Lance Stroll, who is 25 years old and 18 years younger than Alonso, seems the most logical long-term solution for Aston Martin. However, Fernando Alonso has been the team’s most consistent and productive driver in recent seasons, making him an invaluable asset. Should Verstappen join, it remains unclear whether Stroll would be willing to end his son’s tenure at the team or whether Alonso would be the one to make way.

The stakes are high for Aston Martin as they look to secure Verstappen’s services and potentially reshape the future of their driver lineup. Should Stroll manage to pull off the signing of Verstappen, it would signal Aston Martin’s intent to become a dominant force in Formula 1 and challenge Red Bull’s supremacy.

This development, alongside the recruitment of Newey and the upcoming partnership with Honda, points to Aston Martin’s long-term ambition of becoming a serious title contender. Verstappen’s presence at the team would undoubtedly accelerate that process, setting the stage for a newera in Formula 1.