Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso could be paired at Aston Martin (Image: Getty)
is a man in demand as doubts over his future with persist. Internal tensions and the loss of their once-dominant pace advantage have raised the possibility of the Dutchman leaving the team with which he has secured three world titles, and potentially a fourth this year.
team principal has openly expressed interest in Verstappen, who is in his contract, due to expire only in 2028. A potential move in 2026, when new regulations are introduced, is a serious prospect. However, isn’t the only viable option for one of F1’s biggest stars.
Aston Martin, having recently announced the possesses both the financial resources and ambition to attract Verstappen. With their impressive new facilities at Silverstone and Honda set to become Aston’s engine supplier in 2026, the prospects look enticing.
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Both Verstappen and Newey share strong ties with Honda, which has powered during their recent period of dominance. Here’s how Verstappen’s potential move to Aston could unfold…
Fernando Alonso stays
One might cynically suggest that Verstappen would prefer legend Alonso to be dropped, as he would undoubtedly outperform , son of Aston’s billionaire owner Lawrence. However, Verstappen would surely recognise that for the team to evolve from midfield contenders to pacesetters, they need two strong drivers.
And if age doesn’t diminish Alonso’s pace and ambition, they would form a daunting duo. Alonso has intimated that his current deal, lasting until the end of 2026, might be his final chapter in F1, but an extension isn’t out of the question. There’s a healthy dose of respect flowing between the two stars.
There is plenty of respect between Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso (Image: Getty)
Discussing his desire to compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours one day, he acknowledged earlier this year that Alonso, a two-time victor of the prestigious race, would be his top pick for a teammate, saying: “I’ve been speaking to Fernando about it. He said he would only want to do it with me again. That would be really cool.”
Whether Lawrence Stroll can envisage sidelining his own son is up for debate, although redeploying Lance to Aston’s World Endurance stable has been rumoured.
The Newey factor
With the recruitment of Newey, as well as several other notable technical talents, Aston have strengthened significantly behind the scenes. While Stroll Snr has assembled an enviable team off the track, there remain uncertainties about how the collection of intellectual power will combine.
Fernando Alonso with Adrian Newey at the latter’s Aston Martin unveiling (Image: Getty Images for Aston Martin)
Assuming that the team is united under Newey, who will officially join in March 2025, Verstappen’s potential arrival in 2026 could be perfectly timed. Newey has a deep understanding of what Verstappen requires from a car and their off-track relationship is strong. Their impressive track record together speaks for itself.
Mercedes flop again
, another possible option for Verstappen, have had a challenging few years since the last rules reset in 2022. Despite showing more front-running pace this season, inconsistency has left them fourth in the constructors’ standings.
With the 2026 rules set to place greater emphasis on engine performance, are expected to excel but for Verstappen to feel justified in moving to Aston, he would want the Brackley team to underperform again.
Toto Wolff would love to see Max Verstappen in a Mercedes (Image: Getty)
More Red Bull chaos
Despite being reined in this year, it would still be a tough decision for Verstappen to leave the stable he has been with for a decade. However, following the departure of Newey and other key figures, like sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, along with additional internal turmoil, could see the team slide down the order, which would also justify his decision.
McLaren go backwards
have risen to the top of the pack after some impressively successful upgrades. However, as a customer team, they are dependent on delivering a strong engine. If falter, both teams could be on the backfoot in 2026, which could potentially benefit the Honda-powered Astons.