Aston Martin’s Saudi backers are prepared to offer Max Verstappen £230 million over three years to drive for them in what has been described as the “deal of the century”.
Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which already owns 20 percent of Aston Martin Lagonda and sponsors the F1 team through oil giant Aramco, is keen to take over ownership of the Silverstone-based outfit from Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, Italian reports claim.
The British-based team has long been linked with Verstappen. Having built a new factory, a new wind tunnel, a new simulator, and secured the services of the most celebrated F1 designer of the modern era in the shape of Adrian Newey, signing the best driver on the grid right now would be the logical next step.
The team’s current drivers are Fernando Alonso, a double world champion but now 43 years of age, and Lance Stroll, the son of the team’s majority owner.
Aston Martin CEO and team principal Andy Cowell confirmed Newey, who designed all four of Verstappen’s title-winning cars at Red Bull before leaving last year, will be spending 100 percent of his time this season working on developing the car for 2026 when the new regulations are introduced.
A report in Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport claims that PIF, which has a vast sporting portfolio that includes Newcastle United, is prepared to offer an eye-watering €264m (£226m) over three years, covering the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons, in order to secure Verstappen’s services.
There is one stumbling block, which is that both of them are under contract for 2026, although whether those contracts would hold should Verstappen become available is another matter.
Alonso was asked on Thursday about the speculation, and said he was not concerned. “I have a contract for next year,” the Spaniard said. “But I see the rumours as very good for the team…. [it] shows the project that we are in and the future that this team has. As I said last year when I extended the contract, I will drive for as long as I feel fast and competitive and the team needs me behind the wheel.”
When approached by Telegraph Sport, Aston Martin reiterated their commitment to both their current drivers for next season.
“It’s normal for the media to speculate on driver market, but we have an amazing driver line-up that we are committed to and who are under contract for 2026 and beyond,” a team spokesperson said. “Our focus is on delivering for our drivers by giving them a more consistent and competitive car. When we do, they are both capable of delivering great results.”
As for whether Stroll would consider selling his stake in the team to PIF, the team spokesperson referred the Telegraph to a statement released a few weeks ago after Aston Martin Lagonda announced it was selling its minority stake in the team.
The buyer of those shares is still to be determined, with investment bank Raine Group commissioned to facilitate that.
Aramco previously had a right to a 10 per cent shareholding in the F1 team under its own sponsorship agreement, so one solution could be the Saudi Arabian company finally parlays its interest into minority team ownership. But there is no suggestion Stroll is looking to divest himself of his shares.
Quite apart from all this, there is also the question of whether Verstappen would be tempted by extra wads of cash, however substantial the wads. The 27-year-old already earns vast sums at Red Bull – upwards of £50m a year. And he has repeatedly said that any future decisions will be driven by sporting factors.
Verstappen’s immediate focus will be on this year’s drivers’ championship. Although Red Bull have struggled at times this season, the Dutch driver is only eight points behind McLaren’s Lando Norris at the top of the standings. Looking further ahead, Verstappen will have to decide whether he feels Bull have had their day. If he is convinced they cannot be competitive when the new technical regulations come in next year, then Aston Martin and Mercedes may come into consideration.
Russell downplays Mercedes interest in Verstappen
Both Mercedes’ drivers are out of contract at the end of this year, and team principal Toto Wolff is a self-confessed admirer of Verstappen’s.
The Austrian would have the dilemma of which driver to drop. George Russell is currently driving out of his skin, and Kimi Antonelli has made one of the most impressive starts to a rookie season in F1 history.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Russell said it was “understandable” the team would want to sign Verstappen, but added that he would have no issues if they did.
“Why wouldn’t they want to sign Max? It’s totally understandable,” Russell said. “He’s the best at the moment. He’s a four-time world champion. That’s not anything against me or Kimi. There’s two drivers for every team and he is one person.
“So that doesn’t concern me one bit because the performance is my currency and right now I think I am performing as good as anyone on this grid. I am very happy. Many drivers have contracts but the fact is that if you don’t perform, the teams will find a way to get you out of that. When the time is right we’ll discuss a contract.
“I feel people who are too concerned about a lack of a contract or lack of clarity are those who don’t have the self belief. I have got immense belief. I have been team-mate with a world champion for three years, the greatest of all time for three years (Hamilton). I believe I can beat anybody given the right chance and that is your power.”
Williams team principal James Vowles has warned his former team against signing Verstappen because he has a lot of “downsides”.
“Can you add a tiny bit more performance? Yes, I think there is more performance to be added through Max,” Vowles said, who was the former motorsport strategy director at Mercedes.
”I don’t think anyone in the room would deny that he is extraordinary in what he can do. Japan [where Verstappen won from pole position] was, for me, jaw-dropping. Well done to him. But he comes with a lot of downsides as well that you have to acknowledge. What Mercedes does have is a great culture with two drivers that are delivering near to the peak of the car, and with one that’s on the way up. So I personally don’t think that’s the place for him.”
Aston Martin’s Saudi backers are prepared to offer Max Verstappen £230 million over three years to drive for them in what has been described as the “deal of the century”.
Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which already owns 20 percent of Aston Martin Lagonda and sponsors the F1 team through oil giant Aramco, is keen to take over ownership of the Silverstone-based outfit from Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, Italian reports claim.
The British-based team has long been linked with Verstappen. Having built a new factory, a new wind tunnel, a new simulator, and secured the services of the most celebrated F1 designer of the modern era in the shape of Adrian Newey, signing the best driver on the grid right now would be the logical next step.
The team’s current drivers are Fernando Alonso, a double world champion but now 43 years of age, and Lance Stroll, the son of the team’s majority owner.
Aston Martin CEO and team principal Andy Cowell confirmed Newey, who designed all four of Verstappen’s title-winning cars at Red Bull before leaving last year, will be spending 100 percent of his time this season working on developing the car for 2026 when the new regulations are introduced.
A report in Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport claims that PIF, which has a vast sporting portfolio that includes Newcastle United, is prepared to offer an eye-watering €264m (£226m) over three years, covering the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons, in order to secure Verstappen’s services.
There is one stumbling block, which is that both of them are under contract for 2026, although whether those contracts would hold should Verstappen become available is another matter.
Alonso was asked on Thursday about the speculation, and said he was not concerned. “I have a contract for next year,” the Spaniard said. “But I see the rumours as very good for the team…. [it] shows the project that we are in and the future that this team has. As I said last year when I extended the contract, I will drive for as long as I feel fast and competitive and the team needs me behind the wheel.”
When approached by Telegraph Sport, Aston Martin reiterated their commitment to both their current drivers for next season.
“It’s normal for the media to speculate on driver market, but we have an amazing driver line-up that we are committed to and who are under contract for 2026 and beyond,” a team spokesperson said. “Our focus is on delivering for our drivers by giving them a more consistent and competitive car. When we do, they are both capable of delivering great results.”
As for whether Stroll would consider selling his stake in the team to PIF, the team spokesperson referred the Telegraph to a statement released a few weeks ago after Aston Martin Lagonda announced it was selling its minority stake in the team.
The buyer of those shares is still to be determined, with investment bank Raine Group commissioned to facilitate that.
Aramco previously had a right to a 10 per cent shareholding in the F1 team under its own sponsorship agreement, so one solution could be the Saudi Arabian company finally parlays its interest into minority team ownership. But there is no suggestion Stroll is looking to divest himself of his shares.
Quite apart from all this, there is also the question of whether Verstappen would be tempted by extra wads of cash, however substantial the wads. The 27-year-old already earns vast sums at Red Bull – upwards of £50m a year. And he has repeatedly said that any future decisions will be driven by sporting factors.
Verstappen’s immediate focus will be on this year’s drivers’ championship. Although Red Bull have struggled at times this season, the Dutch driver is only eight points behind McLaren’s Lando Norris at the top of the standings. Looking further ahead, Verstappen will have to decide whether he feels Bull have had their day. If he is convinced they cannot be competitive when the new technical regulations come in next year, then Aston Martin and Mercedes may come into consideration.
Russell downplays Mercedes interest in Verstappen
Both Mercedes’ drivers are out of contract at the end of this year, and team principal Toto Wolff is a self-confessed admirer of Verstappen’s.
The Austrian would have the dilemma of which driver to drop. George Russell is currently driving out of his skin, and Kimi Antonelli has made one of the most impressive starts to a rookie season in F1 history.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Russell said it was “understandable” the team would want to sign Verstappen, but added that he would have no issues if they did.
“Why wouldn’t they want to sign Max? It’s totally understandable,” Russell said. “He’s the best at the moment. He’s a four-time world champion. That’s not anything against me or Kimi. There’s two drivers for every team and he is one person.
“So that doesn’t concern me one bit because the performance is my currency and right now I think I am performing as good as anyone on this grid. I am very happy. Many drivers have contracts but the fact is that if you don’t perform, the teams will find a way to get you out of that. When the time is right we’ll discuss a contract.
“I feel people who are too concerned about a lack of a contract or lack of clarity are those who don’t have the self belief. I have got immense belief. I have been team-mate with a world champion for three years, the greatest of all time for three years (Hamilton). I believe I can beat anybody given the right chance and that is your power.”
Williams team principal James Vowles has warned his former team against signing Verstappen because he has a lot of “downsides”.
“Can you add a tiny bit more performance? Yes, I think there is more performance to be added through Max,” Vowles said, who was the former motorsport strategy director at Mercedes.
”I don’t think anyone in the room would deny that he is extraordinary in what he can do. Japan [where Verstappen won from pole position] was, for me, jaw-dropping. Well done to him. But he comes with a lot of downsides as well that you have to acknowledge. What Mercedes does have is a great culture with two drivers that are delivering near to the peak of the car, and with one that’s on the way up. So I personally don’t think that’s the place for him.”
