Max Verstappen is wanted by Aston Martin’s billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll (Image: Getty Images)
Max Verstappen’s entourage have responded to rumours the Red Bull star may be in line for an unprecedented £1billion contract offer from Aston Martin. Reports emerged on Thursday that owner Lawrence Stroll was set to table the most extravagant deal ever seen in Formula 1 history.
Aston Martin’s commercial head honcho Jefferson Slack is allegedly wooing potential sponsors with teasers of Verstappen’s future signature. This speculation has been quashed by Aston Martin, with a team spokesperson “categorically” denying the whispers, according to the .
The response was crystal clear—Aston Martin appears dead-set against such speculations, at least publicly. By stark contrast, a nebulous answer came from Camp Verstappen, leaving the possibility open-ended.
“That’s nice,” they tersely quipped upon being quizzed about the swirling contract rumours. Currently tied to until 2028 and pocketing a base salary near £50m annually, bonuses included, Verstappen reigns as F1’s top earner.
His current contract will see him through to 31, and though many drivers find their zenith at this age, Verstappen has repeatedly hinted at hanging up his helmet early, suggesting his current stint could be his final lap in the F1 world.
Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll is a known admirer of Max Verstappen (Image: Formula 1 via Getty Images)
The 27-year-old has also expressed his contentment with his current team. , the team principal, attempted to lure Verstappen during ‘s internal strife last season, but the Dutch driver never seriously contemplated a switch for the 2025 season.
Wolff eventually promoted young talent Kimi Antonelli to fill the seat left by . However, Wolff maintains informal communication with Verstappen’s team and will likely make another bid for him if he shows more openness to a move in the future.
Despite Aston Martin’s denial of a £1bn contract offer, it is almost certain that they are interested in Verstappen. Their current drivers, Fernando Alonso and owner Lawrence’s son , have contracts until the end of 2026, a crucial year for all teams as new engine regulations take effect.
This is thought to be a significant factor in Verstappen’s decision-making regarding his future beyond that year. If ‘s self-made engines do not match up to their competitors, Verstappen may consider other options to ensure he is in the fastest car on the track.