Max Verstappen could become Formula 1’s first billion-pound driver if Aston Martin gets their way. The British team is reportedly ready to offer an eye-watering £200 million per year to lure the four-time world champion away from Red Bull Racing.
The Daily Mail reports that Aston Martin is already telling potential sponsors that Verstappen will join their team. It would be the biggest deal in F1 history.
Jefferson Slack, Aston Martin’s managing director, has apparently been dropping Verstappen’s name in meetings with investors. When asked about this, the team quickly denied it, pointing out they already have two drivers under contract.
But here’s where it gets interesting.
Aston Martin has two major cards to play: Adrian Newey and Honda. Newey, the legendary car designer who helped Verstappen dominate at Red Bull, is joining Aston Martin in March. And Honda, the engine manufacturer behind all of Max’s championships, will be powering Aston Martin’s cars from 2026.
Max’s father Jos recently highlighted how much Red Bull misses Newey’s touch. “The car didn’t get better after he left,” Jos told F1-Insider. “The updates just weren’t working like they used to.”
Verstappen currently has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, and he’s said he wants to stick around. But there’s a catch – Red Bull needs to stay competitive.
The timing is crucial. In 2026, Red Bull will start building their own engines with Ford, while Aston Martin gets those proven Honda power units that Verstappen knows so well.
Mercedes isn’t sitting quietly either. Team boss Toto Wolff has already had conversations with Verstappen about a potential move to the Silver Arrows.
For now, though, Max is staying put at Red Bull. But with a billion-pound deal on the table, how long will that last?
