Patrese: “Only one between Verstappen and Horner can go to Aston Martin”
Former Formula 1 driver Riccardo Patrese has offered his view on the current market rumours, stressing that if Aston Martin were to welcome new high-profile names, only one between Max Verstappen and Christian Horner could realistically join the team. In his opinion, Adrian Newey would not face the same obstacles in potentially working with the British outfit.
No reunion at Lawrence Stroll’s court
The 2025 Formula 1 season is about to enter its second half, but much of the attention is already shifting towards the upcoming regulatory revolution of 2026. That year will see the introduction of an entirely new generation of cars, with both technical regulations and power units undergoing significant changes. It is no coincidence that the very first behind-closed-doors tests are already scheduled for January 2026, months ahead of the official debut.
With such a major shake-up on the horizon, the competitive balance in Formula 1 could be reshuffled dramatically. Several teams are hoping to carve out a stronger position in the new era of the sport. Among these, Aston Martin stands out, thanks to team owner Lawrence Stroll, who has already secured two major assets for the future: a partnership with Honda for power units and the signing of legendary designer Adrian Newey.
Verstappen’s future and Aston Martin’s ambitions
For now, Max Verstappen remains committed to Red Bull Racing. However, his long-term future is a hot topic, with speculation suggesting he could consider a move in 2027 if the right opportunity arises. According to Riccardo Patrese, Aston Martin would naturally be a top contender for the Dutchman’s services. At the same time, the team could also be a potential destination for Christian Horner, although Patrese emphasised that only one of them could realistically be part of the project at Silverstone.
Patrese’s analysis: Verstappen or Horner, not both
Speaking to RacingTipster, Patrese explained: “Any team would want Max Verstappen because he is the driver who can make the difference right now. He is one of those rare talents who, even with a car that is not the absolute best – and this year Red Bull Racing does not have the strongest car on the grid – can still win races and influence the championship.”
Riccardo Patrese then addressed the possibility of Horner moving to Aston Martin: “If Max were to go there, it would become a problem. The relationship between the Verstappen family and Christian Horner is one of the reasons why Horner is no longer firmly secure at Red Bull. With Adrian Newey, however, there are no such issues. They have always managed to work well together. So if Max Verstappen does not go to Aston Martin, then Christian Horner could have the chance to join.”
In short, Riccardo Patrese believes Aston Martin can be a powerful force in the new F1 era, but the team will have to carefully manage its choices. While the combination of Honda engines and Adrian Newey already provides a strong foundation, the possibility of adding either Max Verstappen or Christian Horner – but not both – could define the team’s trajectory in the years to come.
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