Max Verstappen's move to Aston Martin is the 'obvious next.....

Max Verstappen’s move to Aston Martin is the ‘obvious next….. read more

Max Verstappen’s potential move to Aston Martin is being viewed as a logical progression in his Formula 1 career, according to F1 journalist Mark Hughes. Following a tumultuous period for Red Bull Racing, where key personnel left to join Aston Martin, speculation has intensified around Verstappen possibly receiving a lucrative contract exceeding $1 billion from the Silverstone-based team.

The Dutch driver, who secured his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship last season, has an impressive record of 63 race victories with Red Bull since he began racing for them in 2016. All of these successes were achieved in cars designed by the renowned Adrian Newey, who has recently departed Red Bull and is set to join Aston Martin. This change has fueled discussions about Verstappen’s future, especially in light of the significant regulatory changes scheduled for 2026.

Despite having a contract with Red Bull that runs until the end of the 2028 season, there are reports of specific clauses that could allow either party to exit the agreement under certain conditions. Last year, Red Bull faced considerable internal challenges, with tensions rising around team advisor Helmut Marko, who was almost dismissed before the situation stabilized. However, the RB20 car struggled in performance, finishing as the third fastest on the grid, which raised concerns about the team’s competitiveness moving forward.

Although Verstappen managed to clinch the title, Marko acknowledged the extraordinary efforts required from the Dutchman to achieve this amidst the car’s limitations. There’s a growing awareness within Red Bull about the necessity to enhance their performance to retain Verstappen’s loyalty