264 million for Verstappen: Aston Martin launches seduction campaign

A historic contract on the table

And if Max Verstappen wrote the next chapter of his story in green? According to several consistent sources, including RaceFans and Crash.net, Aston Martin is preparing a massive offer to attract the Dutchman as early as the 2026 season. The mentioned amount is dizzying: 264 million euros over three years, or 88 million annually, a potential record in F1 history.

The offer would be made possible by the support of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), already a 20% shareholder of Aston Martin Lagonda and partner of the team via Aramco. The PIF is even considering a complete takeover of the F1 team to accompany this change of era.

Red Bull under pressure, open clauses

Officially, Max Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028. Unofficially, his contract is said to contain several exit clauses, activatable in the event of disappointing results or internal instability, two conditions that seem to be met after a tense start to the season and a frustrating sixth place in Bahrain.

As speculation mounts, Christian Horner tried to put out the fire:

«Max reaffirmed his commitment yesterday. We are focusing on improving the car, that’s where our priority lies. Max is a part of this, he is a committed member of the team. The rest is just speculation.»

Press statement during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Mercedes slows down, Aston Martin speeds up

Once in the lead in the race for Verstappen, Mercedes reportedly backed down due to the driver’s financial demands. Toto Wolff now seems focused on extending George Russell’s contract, while Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin’s boss, is going all-in. Aston Martin sees Verstappen as more than just an addition to their team: the arrival of the three-time world champion would be a major turning point in the British team’s long-term ambitions.

For several years, Aston Martin has been striving to position itself among the best. Lawrence Stroll has made it clear that he wants to make his team a reference in the F1 world, relying on strong technical foundations and an ambitious project. With Verstappen, Aston Martin hopes not only for a leader capable of driving the team upward, but also to attract talent and expertise, notably by bringing a new dynamic to the car’s development.

Part of this ambition comes into play from 2026, when new engine regulations will reshape the F1 landscape. The project aims to be sustainable, with Verstappen as the central element of Aston Martin’s long-term strategy. Financial support from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), already a 20% shareholder in Aston Martin Lagonda, provides the team with the means for such an offensive. In this game of musical chairs where strategy, financial ambitions, and sporting rivalries intertwine, the future of Max Verstappen could well redefine the balance in F1.