Aston Martin appears to be plotting a record deal worth an estimated £1 billion to lure Max Verstappen away from Red Bull, signaling an extraordinary shift in Formula 1’s financial landscape.
Several industry insiders suggest that Aston Martin Managing Director (Commercial and Marketing) Jefferson Slack has hinted to potential sponsors that the four-time world champion is destined to join the Silverstone-based team.
Officially, Aston Martin rejects any idea that Verstappen’s impending arrival has led to formal offers, but it is precisely this speculation that highlights the ambitions of owner Lawrence Stroll. The Canadian billionaire has already seduced Adrian Newey – revered as the greatest car designer in F1 history – with a £20m-a-year contract, with additional share incentives.
Despite Verstappen’s existing deal with Red Bull until 2028 and his repeated statements about staying with the Milton Keynes team, his unparalleled success gives him the power to set his own price. At a current salary of around £50m a year, sources suggest an offer of almost £200m a year – plus potential share capital in Aston Martin – could be needed to achieve a move, which reflects of the agreement that Red Bull’s Newey appreciated.
Stroll’s drive to challenge Red Bull and Mercedes at the top of Formula 1 underlines these aggressive tactics. Insiders claim that Newey in particular is convinced that neither Lance Stroll (the owner’s son) nor 44-year-old Fernando Alonso is the long-term solution for title victories. Securing Verstappen would therefore represent a transformative step towards championship glory.
On Verstappen’s side, any decision will likely depend on the future performance of Red Bull’s partnership with Ford under the changing regulations, as well as the growing potential of Aston Martin’s project. Although discussions have so far been limited to ‘informal contact’ about endurance racing, the possibility of a formal offer further underlines the sport’s growing commercial influence.
If the Dutch star were to leave Red Bull and reunite with Newey at Aston Martin, the consequences would be enormous, potentially loosening Red Bull’s stranglehold on the grid and propelling Aston Martin to the forefront of the championship race.