Adrian Newey doesn’t think Lance Stroll is good enough, and he fears Fernando Alonso is now too old. When he joins Aston Martin in March following his Red Bull exit, he may strengthen their pursuit of Verstappen.
Aston are reportedly telling prospective sponsors that they have a long-term plan to sign Verstappen.
They have become an attractive destination after signing Newey, as well as former Mercedes engine guru Andy Cowell, and striking a Honda engine deal.
Verstappen’s Red Bull contract runs until the end of 2028. But ‘sources within the team’ have admitted to Motorsport Netherlands that he may leave before that date.
Mercedes are also interested in Verstappen, as Toto Wolff has openly acknowledged.
They would have to move aside either George Russell, now a three-time Grand Prix winner, or Kimi Antonelli, their recent academy graduate.
Aston Martin, meanwhile, have just handed new multi-year contracts to Stroll and Alonso.
But such is Verstappen’s talent, they would surely do whatever they could to make a seat available if he expressed a willingness to join.
Formula 1 will enter a new era in 2026. Alongside the introduction of active aerodynamics, teams will run simplified engines (the MGU-H has been removed) on sustainable fuels.
For the first time since entering F1 in 2005, Red Bull are building their own power units. And though Christian Horner has boasted of a hiring spree from Mercedes, this creates inevitable uncertainty at Milton Keynes.
It may be unrealistic to expect the Bulls to immediately match the engine divisions of Mercedes, Ferrari and former partners Honda. The internal message will be that they’re adequately prepared to do so.
Regardless, Verstappen is likely to give it at least a year. Red Bull figures accept that he could potentially go at the end of 2026 if he’s not satisfied with their performance.
Team members are ‘confident’ there’s no risk of a departure before then, unless they fall short of contractual performance clauses this term. After that, though, the situation is ‘open’.
Red Bull will be desperate to keep Verstappen, who has won the last four titles to establish himself as an all-time great.
But if he does ask to leave, some within the team may feel duty-bound to let him go in light of these achievements.
They would then need to find a new driver to build around. Horner is eyeing George Russell, which could set up an inadvertent swap with Mercedes.
But one option they’ve already declined is Carlos Sainz. Red Bull don’t Sainz as a Verstappen replacement, just as they didn’t view him as an appropriate 2025 teammate for the Dutchman despite his impressive record.
