It seems like an almost impossible operation, as the four-time world champion is contracted to Red Bull until 2028. However, in the world of finance, contracts can change and be torn up. And if it’s true that there is an exit clause for the Dutch driver – as Helmut Marko had hinted – then anything is possible.
Verstappen has reiterated his commitment to continuing with Red Bull, although the results have not been as hoped so far. The discontent with a subpar RB21 has fueled paddock rumors suggesting that Aston Martin could be interested in bringing the multiple-time champion on board.
A recent article by La Gazzetta dello Sport revealed that Lawrence Stroll is prepared to make a $300 million offer to convince Max Verstappen to move to Silverstone. Aston Martin is satisfied with its current driver lineup, as a team spokesperson told PlanetF1.com. However, they haven’t denied the interest in the Red Bull #1.
The Honda-Verstappen partnership has been successful and has allowed the Dutchman and his team to dominate the Formula 1 world championship thanks to the engine’s reliability. However, this story will come to an end next year when Honda becomes the official supplier for Aston Martin, while Red Bull will produce its own engines with Ford.
Honda Racing’s CEO, Koji Watanabe, does not hide his nostalgia and, from his words, it is clear that he desires to work with Max Verstappen again. “Firstly, we are doing everything we can to help [Max] win his fifth world title this year. Then, we will focus on the partnership with Aston Martin,” the Japanese executive said in an interview with De Telegraaf.
“Honestly, I hope that one day the opportunity will arise for Honda to work with Max Verstappen again. I sincerely hope so. I’ve spoken with him many times, and he has always been positive about our attitude and mentality.”
Watanabe also praised the Dutch champion’s personality: “Max is also very communicative with Honda engineers. He speaks to them clearly, which makes the engineers become very dedicated fans of his. People often see Max as an athlete, but I also have a deep respect for his character,” he concluded.
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