Max Verstappen is in ‘ongoing’ negotiations with £1.6bn F1 team over potential Red Bull exit

Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull was thrown into uncertainty in 2024 amid the drama surrounding Red Bull on and off the track.

The situation surrounding Christian Horner at the start of the season, the internal war between the Thai and Austrian sides of the ownership and Adrian Newey’s departure to Aston Martin all led to speculation that the Dutchman could also leave for pastures new.

Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028 and comes into 2025 looking to become only the second driver after Michael Schumacher to win five titles in a row. He beat Lando Norris to his fourth championship last season by 63 points.

However, there are question marks over Red Bull’s package this season after they fell behind McLaren and Ferrari in 2024. Furthermore, the Milton Keynes-based outfit will move to supply their own engines in 2026 in partnership with Ford through Red Bull Powertrains.

While no one knows where anyone is for 2026 at this stage, the four-time champion has already cast doubt over Red Bull’s project. Verstappen is ‘convinced’ Mercedes will have the fastest engine when the new regulations come into effect.

Verstappen could leave Red Bull before 2026 if he is unsatisfied with what he is seeing at the team. And it seems that a potential exit is ‘very real’.

Aston Martin are in ‘ongoing’ negotiations to sign Max Verstappen

Mercedes were heavily interested in Verstappen earlier in 2024 as they saw him as the number one target to replace Lewis Hamilton. Toto Wolff had talks with Verstappen’s camp but nothing materialised as they opted to sign Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Aston Martin have also been linked with the Dutchman given they will run Honda engines in 2026 and Newey will spearhead their technical operation. Rumours have been swirling around that a move to the £1.6bn-valued team is possible.

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Journalist Mark Hughes says the idea of Verstappen joining Aston Martin has ‘ a lot of weight’ to it. Speaking on The Race F1 Podcast, he suggests that negotiations are already ‘ongoing’ between the two parties.

“The idea of Max to Aston, I think is very real and if what we’re hearing on the grapevine is true, those negotiations are already ongoing”, said Hughes.

“So, even before we started hearing these rumours from within the paddock and not just from people speculating on it on the outside, it did make perfect sense.

“Max has been at Red Bull for a decade. It’s a new formula, new engine partner, Adrian Newey’s gone. Max has won multiple titles and has already said only the first one really matters to him and the rest have just been a nice indulgence.

“So, he’s clearly ready for a new challenge. Just the time that Lawrence Stroll has brought this incredible array of talents and facilities together and has taken Honda with him. Verstappen has a great relationship already with them.

“It’s the obvious next step for both parties I’d say so yes, I’d put quite a lot of weight behind the rumours”.

Aston Martin faces a difficult decision with their driver line-up amid Max Verstappen rumours

The project at Aston Martin is an exciting one. Lawrence Stroll has invested heavily behind the scenes to build the team towards a title challenge in 2026.

Andy Cowell has succeeded Mike Krack as team principal and with Newey and Enrico Cardile also behind the operation, the team will be looking to make a huge stride forward.

Aston Martin retained their 2024 driver pairing in Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll for the next two years. While the former performed admirably last season despite the drop in performance, the latter scored points just six times and was comprehensively beaten by his teammate.

Newey has already been critical of Stroll and with Verstappen rumoured to be in talks with the team, it seems unlikely the legendary engineer will want to take Alonso out in favour of keeping the Canadian.

However, team owner Lawrence Stroll has high aspirations for his son and will likely want to keep him in the team – potentially causing a conflict among the Aston Martin hierarchy.