Aston Martin appears to be planning a record £1bn deal to lure Max Verstappen away from Red Bull, signaling an unusual shift in Formula 1’s financial landscape.
Several industry insiders suggest that Jefferson Slack, Aston Martin’s managing director (commercial and marketing), has been hinting to potential sponsors that the four-time world champion is destined to join the Silverstone-based team.
Officially, Aston Martin rejects any notion that Verstappen’s imminent arrival has prompted formal bids, but the speculation highlights owner Lawrence Stroll’s ambitions. The Canadian billionaire has already tempted Adrian Newey – regarded as the greatest car designer in Formula 1 history – with a contract worth £20 million a year with additional share incentives.
Despite Verstappen’s current contract with Red Bull until 2028 and his repeated statements about staying at Milton Keynes, his unparalleled success gives him the power to set his own price. With a current salary of around £50m-a-year, sources suggest an offer approaching £200m-a-year – plus potential equity in Aston Martin – may be required to prompt a move, mirroring the arrangement that paid Newey from Red Bull.
Stroll’s campaign to challenge Red Bull and Mercedes at the top of Formula One underscores these aggressive tactics. Insiders claim that Newey, in particular, is not convinced that neither Lance Stroll (the owner’s son) nor 44-year-old Fernando Alonso is the long-term answer to title victories. Securing Verstappen would therefore represent a transformative step towards championship glory.
On Verstappen’s part, any decision will likely depend on the future performance of Red Bull’s partnership with Ford under evolving regulations, as well as the growing potential of the Aston Martin project. Although talk so far has been limited to “casual contact” about endurance racing, the possibility of a formal bid further highlights the sport’s outsized commercial clout.
If the Dutch star leaves Red Bull and reunites with Newey at Aston Martin, the ramifications would be massive, potentially dislodging Red Bull’s grip on the grid and pushing Aston Martin to the top of the championship race.
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