Max Verstappen could be in line for the biggest payday in Formula 1 history, with Aston Martin reportedly ready to offer an eye-watering £1 billion deal to lure him away from Red Bull Racing.
The British team is apparently telling potential sponsors they can land the four-time world champion, with the package worth around £200 million per year.
When asked about the rumor, Verstappen’s team played it coy. Their only response? “That’s nice.”
But former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve doesn’t think the Dutch superstar should take the bait.
“If you’re Max, you win with Ferrari, you win with Mercedes, not with Aston Martin,” Villeneuve told Action Network. He believes Verstappen needs to think bigger about his next move.
The 26-year-old Verstappen has already been linked with Mercedes this season. He even confirmed having conversations with team boss Toto Wolff, though nothing concrete ever materialized.
Mercedes ultimately went in a different direction, signing young talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli while Verstappen stayed put at Red Bull.
Villeneuve thinks Aston Martin will need someone tough to replace Fernando Alonso when he leaves. “They need someone that’s very strong mentally and hard-headed,” he said.
The £1 billion figure being thrown around would shatter all previous F1 salary records. It shows just how desperate teams are to land the sport’s biggest star.
For now, though, Verstappen seems content dominating the field in his Red Bull car. The question is: how long will that last?
