Max Verstappen received a mixed reception from the crowd at the F1 75 event in London when he was introduced on stage to present Red Bull’s 2025 livery.
The Dutchman was joined on stage by Christian Horner, who was also on the receiving end of pantomime boos, and new teammate Liam Lawson.
Verstappen didn’t speak at all during the two-hour event, but he did speak to the media in the hours before the event in a press conference where he was asked about the recent rumours surrounding Aston Martin.
Although the Dutchman has a contract through to the 2028 season, in which Red Bull will pay Verstappen £59m in 2025, his future is up for debate given the team’s current on-track form.
Red Bull ended the 2024 season as the third-best car and if Verstappen’s fortunes do not improve for this season, his contract could contain performance clauses that enable him to leave before 2028.
One of those options is Aston Martin, although fans of Red Bull and Verstappen will be happy to know how he responded when probed by media on his links according to The Mirror.
Max Verstappen gives funny response to Aston Martin rumours
Christian Horner recently claimed that Verstappen is ‘happy’ at Red Bull amid his links to Aston Martin, as the Dutchman relishes the potential fresh challenge.
The Red Bull team boss reportedly held talks with Aston Martin at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last season, although it was unclear whether this was specifically related to the future of Verstappen.
Joining Aston Martin has never been more lucrative, now that they have legendary designer Adrian Newey onboard and claimed that Lance Stroll is not good enough to achieve their aim of winning a world championship.
When it was pointed out to Verstappen at the F1 75 media press conferences that Aston Martin’s Silverstone base is “not far from Milton Keynes, if you had to commute,” Verstappen quipped: “Yeah, but I live in Monaco, so it doesn’t really matter to me – even if it’s in Timbuktu.”
Max Verstappen camp refutes Aston Martin offer reports
Horner has made it clear what Red Bull need to do to prevent Newey from persuading Verstappen to jump ship to Aston Martin.
However, the extent of the Silverstone crew’s interest is still unclear, after Verstappen’s camp has already refuted claims that Aston Martin offered him £1bn to leave Red Bull.
If Verstappen triggers and exit clause in his contract, it could trigger another ripple in the driver market with Red Bull also without a main driver.
George Russell has been tipped by Horner as someone who could join the team, although it depends on whether Verstappen decides to cut his ties altogether after their previous spat.
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