Aston Martin have denied claims they are preparing a huge offer to snatch Max Verstappen from Red Bull and are also rejecting suggestions they have assured sponsors the Dutchman will pen a deal to swap teams.
The British team, under the ambitious eye of billionaire Lawrence Stroll, were claimed to have greenlit a staggering £1billion offer to tempt the four-time world champion to its Silverstone headquarters.
However, the claims have sparked a strong reaction from Aston Martin who “categorically deny” any and all allegations regarding such an approach for Verstappen.
Verstappen is under contract at Red Bull until 2028 which fetches him a cool base salary of £50million, bolstered by bonuses that make him F1’s highest earner.
This supposed mega-deal from Aston Martin would eclipse not only Verstappen’s existing salary but also Lewis Hamilton’s hefty agreement with Ferrari.
Having already lured away Red Bull’s ace designer Adrian Newey, Stroll dreams of pairing him with Verstappen but it’s not just idle paddock chatter – this ambition is well noted.
The Daily Mail reported that Stroll’s confidence has reached such heights that Jefferson Slack, the commercial director, is already guaranteeing Verstappen’s signature to woo sponsors.
Despite current drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lawrence Stroll’s own son Lance, having contracts that span up to 2026, speculation remains over potential line-up changes.
This means that the earliest opportunity for a vacancy in their driver line-up will be the 2027 season.
Verstappen, currently content with Red Bull, is reportedly waiting to see who develops the fastest engines under next year’s new regulations before deciding on his long-term future.
Aston Martin, however, has maintained regular contact with his father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen.
Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, despite failing to persuade the 27-year-old to fill the gap left by Hamilton, hasn’t abandoned the idea of securing him in the future.
Verstappen has often stated his intention to retire young, suggesting that his current Red Bull contract, which ends when he is 31, could be his last in F1.
With the arrival of his first child with partner Kelly Piquet this spring, the prospect of raising a family may intensify his desire to leave F1 and its demanding schedule earlier than anticipated.
However, a record-breaking offer from Aston Martin, especially one involving equity in the team, could prompt him to reconsider his position.
