Aston Martin’s ambitions to dominate Formula 1 have surged following their successful recruitment of Adrian Newey, one of the sport’s most renowned design engineers. Now, it seems team owner Lawrence Stroll is targeting another prized asset from Red Bull: three-time World Champion Max Verstappen.

After sealing Newey’s long-term commitment as Aston Martin’s Managing Technical Partner, set to begin in March 2025, Stroll’s next goal appears to be securing Verstappen for the 2026 season, when new regulations are set to reshape F1. Italian publication Autosprint, which correctly predicted Newey’s move, reports that discussions to bring Verstappen to Aston Martin are already underway.

If successful, Verstappen would join a Newey-designed Aston Martin team, powered by Honda, the same engine manufacturer that has supported Red Bull during all of Verstappen’s championship-winning campaigns. The allure of a top-tier car under new regulations is a significant part of Aston Martin’s appeal as they aim to be serious title contenders in the coming seasons.

Currently leading the 2024 Drivers’ Championship, Verstappen’s potential move to Aston Martin would mark a seismic shift in the F1 landscape. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso is expected to stay with the team through the regulatory change in 2026, while Lance Stroll could be repositioned to Aston Martin’s World Endurance Championship program to make room for Verstappen.

Despite Newey’s departure from Red Bull, Verstappen has downplayed suggestions that it has negatively impacted the team’s performance. However, his close relationship with Newey remains intact, which could be a key factor in Aston Martin’s efforts to lure the Dutch superstar to their side.

Verstappen is currently under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, but Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s senior advisor, has acknowledged that performance-related clauses exist in the contract, potentially allowing for an earlier exit if Aston Martin proves to be a more competitive option.

Aston Martin’s bold moves signal their commitment to becoming a top team in Formula 1, and securing both Newey and Verstappen would be a game-changing step toward achieving that goal.