Aston Martin Denies Reports of £1 Billion Offer to Lure Max Verstappen Away from Red Bull
The Formula 1 paddock has been abuzz with speculation surrounding Aston Martin’s alleged attempts to poach Max Verstappen from Red Bull. Reports emerged suggesting that the British team, backed by billionaire Lawrence Stroll, was preparing a staggering £1 billion offer to tempt the four-time world champion to join their ranks. However, Aston Martin has categorically denied these claims, dismissing them as mere speculation.
At the heart of the rumors is the ambitious plan by Lawrence Stroll to transform Aston Martin into a championship-winning team. Having already lured away Red Bull’s esteemed designer Adrian Newey, Stroll is reportedly eager to pair him with Verstappen, widely regarded as one of the most talented drivers on the grid. While this ambition may not be mere idle chatter, Aston Martin’s strong denial suggests that the team is not actively pursuing Verstappen at present.
Verstappen, who is currently contracted to Red Bull until 2028, is reportedly content with his current team and is waiting to see how the new engine regulations pan out before making any decisions about his long-term future. With a base salary of £50 million, supplemented by bonuses that make him the highest earner in F1, Verstappen is unlikely to be swayed by financial considerations alone.
Despite the denials, speculation surrounding Aston Martin’s driver lineup continues to swirl. With Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, Lawrence’s son, contracted to the team until 2026, the earliest opportunity for a vacancy in their driver lineup would be the 2027 season. While it is possible that Aston Martin may choose to make changes to their lineup, there is currently no concrete evidence to suggest that Verstappen is being actively courted by the team.
In a statement, Aston Martin categorically denied the reports, stating that they were “not preparing a huge offer to snatch Max Verstappen from Red Bull” and that they had “not assured sponsors that the Dutchman will pen a deal to swap teams.” The team’s commercial director, Jefferson Slack, was also reported to have guaranteed Verstappen’s signature to sponsors, although this claim has been vehemently denied by Aston Martin.
As the F1 paddock continues to speculate about Verstappen’s future, one thing is clear: Aston Martin’s denial of the reports has done little to quell the rumors surrounding their alleged pursuit of the Dutchman. Only time will tell if Verstappen will ultimately choose to leave Red Bull and join Aston Martin, but for now, the team’s strong denial suggests that any such move is purely speculative.
