Max Verstappen Reportedly Offered Record-Breaking F1 Con….read more
Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen is reportedly the subject of a monumental contract offer that could see him leave Red Bull Racing, the team with which he has achieved four world titles. The rumour mill has been in overdrive ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with speculation swirling about the Dutch driver’s long-term future in the sport and his potential departure from the dominant Red Bull outfit.
Despite Verstappen’s recent victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, ongoing internal tensions and instability within Red Bull appear to have triggered whispers of a possible move. Several high-profile teams, including Mercedes, McLaren, and Aston Martin, have been linked with the 26-year-old, but it is Aston Martin who have reportedly made the most dramatic offer.
According to Italian publication La Gazzetta, Verstappen has been approached by Aston Martin with what has been dubbed the richest contract in Formula 1 history. The proposed deal is said to be worth a staggering $300 million over a span of three years—an offer that would not only represent a seismic shift in the driver market but also break financial records in the sport. This massive financial proposal could be made feasible thanks to backing from investors in Saudi Arabia, who are reportedly willing to help fund the deal to secure Verstappen’s services.
If confirmed, the offer would signal a bold statement of intent from Aston Martin, who are based in Silverstone and currently field veteran driver Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll. While the team has made impressive strides in recent seasons, they have yet to challenge Red Bull’s dominance consistently. Bringing Verstappen on board could be a major step toward reshaping their competitive trajectory.
When approached for comment regarding the rumors, Aston Martin responded with a statement to SPORTbible, downplaying the speculation while expressing confidence in their current drivers.
“It’s normal for the media to speculate on the driver market,” a spokesperson said. “But we have a fantastic driver line-up that we are committed to and who are under contract for 2026 and beyond. Our focus is on delivering for Lance and Fernando by giving them a more consistent and competitive car. When we do, they are both capable of delivering great results.”
Despite this denial, the swirling speculation refuses to die down. The chatter around Verstappen’s future intensified further during a press event in Jeddah. Sky Sports commentator David Croft asked the Dutchman about comments made by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, suggesting Verstappen may be weighing up his options. Croft asked, “So he’s [Marko] getting the wrong end of the stick? You’re not thinking of leaving Red Bull?”
Verstappen, visibly irritated by the questioning, responded bluntly: “No, I think [you] just focus on commentating, I’ll focus on driving and then you don’t need to think about any other scenarios.”
This short yet sharp response highlights the growing tension surrounding Verstappen’s future. While he remains under contract with Red Bull until 2028, recent reports of internal conflicts and his father Jos Verstappen’s criticisms of the team leadership have added fuel to the fire.
Whether or not the offer from Aston Martin is legitimate, and whether Verstappen would even consider leaving a team with which he has dominated the sport, remains to be seen. For now, both Red Bull and Aston Martin appear publicly committed to their current line-ups, but the driver market in Formula 1 is known for its unpredictability. With financial powerhouses entering the sport and new technical regulations coming in 2026, nothing can be ruled out.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will remain on Verstappen—not only for his performance on the track but also for any indication of a potential ca
reer-defining switch.
