Max Verstappen has not ruled out the possibility of leaving Red Bull for Aston Martin and reuniting with F1 car designer Adrian Newey.
It was announced earlier this week that Newey had signed a five-year deal with Aston Martin, snubbing the chance to work with Ferrari and Sir Lewis Hamilton.
He leaves Red Bull after 18 years in which time he helped them win all of their six constructors’ and seven drivers’ championships, including the last three titles which have been won by Verstappen.
There could be one last success this year, with the Dutchman leading Lando Norris by 62 points with eight races to go, starting with this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Red Bull have been tipped to struggle once Newey departs, while Verstappen has persistently been linked with leaving the team, in part because of the feud between his father Jos and team principal Christian Horner.
Mercedes were optimistic of poaching the 26-year-old, but he is contracted to Red Bull until 2028 and has always insisted he would stay with the team he has driven for since 2016.
But in the wake of Newey’s move, there have been rumours that Aston Martin could try to sign Verstappen in the future, with team boss Mike Krack admitting on Thursday that: ‘The door for Max Verstappen is always open.’
And it seems the driver would be open to a sensational switch to the British team, with Verstappen saying: ‘That is something maybe for the future that I think about, but not now.
‘It [Newey’s departure] is fine, Adrian and I have a very good understanding. I sent him a message after the news came out so I am happy for him.
‘I always said I would have loved him to stay but you cannot overturn these things. I am just excited for people seeking new challenges.
‘I know Lawrence [Stroll, Aston Martin owner] is pushing flat out to make it a success at Aston Martin.’
But if Verstappen did want to move to Aston Martin, he would have to wait until 2027 at the earliest, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll on long-term contracts.
Two-time champion Alonso will be 45 by the time his deal expires, however the Spaniard has not ruled out staying in F1 beyond 2026, but conceded he is running out of time to win a coveted third title.
‘I will be driving in 2026. After 26, I will be driving in Formula 1 or other series,’ he said.
‘If I am not driving in Formula 1, I will be in the Aston Martin team, somehow, so I will enjoy that future. After that, I will be driving.
‘Step-by-step we have all to have that first race win and hopefully fight for championships in the future. I am aware this takes time, and I don’t have that time in a way. But I’m relaxed and I’m enjoying the journey.’
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