Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull could be in limbo if the team does not produce a car which is capable of keeping him in contention for the World Championship.
The Dutchman’s future at the team was thrown into uncertainty at the start of 2024, following an internal civil war between Red Bull’s owners against the backdrop of allegations against Christian Horner.
Several senior members of Red Bull’s inner success circle left in the aftermath, including legendary designer Adrian Newey, striking fears that Verstappen could follow suit.
Although he is contracted until the 2028 season with the Milton Keynes squad, an exit clause in Verstappen’s contract claims that he could leave Red Bull if he isn’t at least top three in the standings after the ‘first Grands Prix’ in 2025.
Now his former Toro Rosso boss, Franz Tost, has named the team he thinks will be the favourite to sign him if he chooses to leave the Red Bull stable at the end of 2025 when speaking to F1 Insider.
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Franz Tost tips Max Verstappen for Aston Martin move
Verstappen’s camp is rumoured to have held talks with Toto Wolff at Mercedes, but no deal has come to fruition. Wolff is now said to be happy with Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, meaning there could be only one other option for Verstappen, according to Tost.
“Mercedes is performing exceptionally well. Of course, Mercedes must consider whether to sign Max, as George Russell is performing so well at the moment. Ultimately, that will be up to Toto Wolff to decide. Personally, I believe Aston Martin is the favourite.
“The reason: I believe Aston will be the team of the future. They have signed some very good people, including Adrian Newey and Andy Cowell. In my opinion, Newey is the best technician in the paddock and has immense experience. He has done it all: he was a race engineer, a designer, he knows the subject inside and out. And now they also have Andy Cowell. I know him from my time at BMW.
“Back then, Cowell built the legendary ten-cylinder engine for BMW, which was by far the best engine. Then he went to Mercedes, where, as we all know, he did a fantastic job. Aston Martin has the best man in the vehicle sector and the best man in powertrain.
“Of course, Honda, not Cowell, is responsible for the new engine, which will be launched in 2026 – but I can imagine that there will be close communication between Honda and Cowell. Honda is not only extremely motivated but also very open. In addition, Aston Martin has a very modern factory with the appropriate facilities. That’s why, for me, they are the future.”
Is Aston Martin the likely destination for Max Verstappen?
With Mercedes no longer a potential avenue for Verstappen, Aston Martin seems like a likely candidate for Verstappen should he chose to leave Red Bull.
Drivers have left Red Bull after success in the past, including Sebastian Vettel who decided to join Ferrari in 2015 following the team’s troubles with Renault engines in 2014.
Aston Martin is reportedly already in talks with Verstappen over a move to the team, with billionare owner Lawrence Stroll having made significant improvements to the Silverstone outfit off track.
Stroll wants to sign Verstappen, but he will need to make an important decision about his current driver pairing considering they are contracted until 2026. Up until now, only Lance Stroll has scored points in 2025, while Fernando Alonso has found it difficult in the first five races.
Peter Windsor does not think Verstappen would take an offer from Aston Martin, but Newey could convince him to make the move.
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