A sensational rumor has spread in recent weeks. Aston Martin are said to have made an unprecedented offer to sign Max Verstappen, worth a total of one billion pounds on a multi-year contract. But that’s not all. According to the Daily Mail , the Silverstone-based team is trying to attract sponsors, assuring them of the Dutchman’s arrival as early as the 2026 season. Aston Martin has firmly denied these rumors to AutoRacer, calling them unfounded.
Despite this official denial, the idea of Aston Martin’s interest in Verstappen is not so far-fetched . The Silverstone team has clearly outlined its ambitions.
In recent years, Lawrence Stroll has made significant investments to strengthen his Formula 1 team.
Among these investments is the construction of a new state-of-the-art campus. This site is complete with a modern wind tunnel which, as reported last month, is now in the final calibration phase – with the aim to start using it in February.
Another crucial element is the partnership signed with Honda in the spring of 2023. The Japanese giant will supply the team with engines starting from 2026, marking a fundamental strategic step for Aston Martin.
This gives Aston everything it needs to try and become a serious contender for the world titles. The arrival of Adrian Newey , one of the most respected and successful technicians in the history of Formula 1 (he will start working in the new Silverstone campus on March 3) is further confirmation of Lawrence Stroll’s commitment to building a winning team.
Speculation has emerged in recent months regarding Max Verstappen’s possible future away from Red Bull.
Some of Verstappen’s own statements, including interest from Mercedes and Aston Martin, have strengthened suggestions he could consider options outside Red Bull.
Verstappen has a special relationship with Honda. The Dutchman obviously owes a lot to the Japanese brand and their engines.
Moreover, the presence of Newey, who played a fundamental role in Verstappen’s success in Red Bull, is another element that makes the English team an interesting destination for the Dutchman.
Moving on to Mercedes, the Silver Arrows have always shown interest in Verstappen. This was especially clear in the first half of the 2024 season.
Team principal Toto Wolff has repeatedly expressed admiration for the Dutch driver. Wolff spoke several times with his entourage to understand the Dutchman’s outlook. In the end, Mercedes opted to trust in the talent of Kimi Antonelli.
However, even though Verstappen has reportedly given assurances to Red Bull that he will remain until the end of the 2026 season, it is understood that his future is far from certain .
So much so, that an important insider believes that between next spring and next summer, speculation will return about the 4-time Champion’s future.
Mercedes would have one seat, that of George Russell, already available for the first year of the regulation change (2026).
Meanwhile, as Aston Martin, both seats are occupied until the end of 2026. By this stage, there will be more questions about Fernando Alonso’s age.
The Spaniard has already indicated 2026 could be his last in F1 – depending on how Aston perform.
It is therefore understandable that the Silverstone team is evaluating possible alternatives for the future – and Verstappen’s name undoubtedly represents the maximum possible objective.
However, especially looking at the Aston Martin choice, waiting until the end of the first season of regulatory changes seems a sensible choice for Verstappen.
He will want to understand which teams start strong in 2026 – rather than taking a shot in the dark.
This would bring Aston Martin even more into play, which at the moment can give very few certainties to Verstappen.
Of course, you can expect anything from Lawrence Stroll, whether to create a super Alonso-Verstappen lineup in 2026 or give the Spaniard the boot after the 2025 season, something that they strongly deny at Silverstone.
In conclusion, while Aston Martin has denied any negotiations for the moment, it is clear that the British team is aiming to build a top team for the next few years .
The interest in Verstappen, even if officially denied at the moment, represents a clear and further declaration of intent.
The future of the Dutch driver and the ambitions of Aston Martin and Mercedes will continue to be at the center of discussions in the paddock.
Big changes in Formula 1, in terms of new 2026 regulations, will create more uncertainty. The real question is whether Verstappen will be part of them.
