Red Bull's Helmut Marko addresses the possibility of Max Verstappen to Aston Martin

Helmut Marko hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Max Verstappen joining Aston Martin in the future. Speaking to Kleine Zeitung, the Red Bull Racing senior advisor suggested that Verstappen is always eager to align with a winning team.

With Adrian Newey set to reunite with Honda, Aston Martin’s engine supplier for 2026 and beyond, speculation about Verstappen’s potential move has intensified. Reports of the Dutchman’s management meeting with Lawrence Stroll in August sparked further rumors of a possible transfer. As Newey’s transition to Aston Martin becomes imminent, these rumors have only gained more traction.

Marko expressed that Verstappen’s potential move to Aston Martin wouldn’t be surprising, pointing out that success tends to follow wherever Newey works. He acknowledged that the combination of Honda, Newey, and Aston Martin’s advanced facilities makes the team a compelling option for the reigning champion. However, Marko emphasized that Aston Martin would need to integrate Newey effectively to maximize their chances of success.

Asked if Max Verstappen could move to Aston Martin for 2026 and beyond, Marko replied:

“Max drives where he can win. Aston Martin has the most modern factory, the new wind tunnel will be in use next year and Honda engines will be added. Everything actually fits. And if you look at history, it's clear that wherever Newey worked, an upward trend was visible. I don't see why that should be different at Aston Martin.

"Max knows that he can also win titles with us if we get through the current season. That is also an absolute must. Adrian Newey can only start on March 1, 2025, which is relatively late. The entire Aston Martin team needs to be trained first.”

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Max Verstappen is not ruling out a potential move to Aston Martin in the future

Rumors of Max Verstappen joining Aston Martin have intensified following Adrian Newey’s signing. Further fueling the speculation, Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack hinted that the door could be open for the Dutchman. When asked about the possibility by onsite media in Azerbaijan, Verstappen acknowledged it as an option but said it was a discussion for another time.

The 25-year-old expressed happiness for Newey’s new challenges and acknowledged that the British engineer’s move makes Aston Martin an intriguing project on a path toward success. Responding to Aston Martin’s open door for him, Verstappen said:

“I have other worries at the moment, that I’m paying a lot of attention to, that I’m working on. So that is something maybe for the future that I think about but not now. I have other worries at the moment that I am busy with, and I try to fix and work on them with the team that I’m driving with – that’s where our focus goes. Adrian and I – we have a very good understanding. I sent him a message also after the news came out, even though, of course, I knew that it was coming."

"So I’m happy for him, it’s a new challenge. I always said I would have loved him to stay but, yeah, at some point, you can’t overturn these things, so then you’re just excited for people seeking new challenges. I also know that Lawrence, of course, is pushing flat out to make it a success with Aston Martin. So it’s quite understandable that he wants to have Adrian on his side.”

Asked if Newey joining Aston Martin made them an attractive prospect, Verstappen said:

“I don’t know, I mean, I’ve worked with him so I know how he is as a person, and also what he can do. I think everyone would like to work with Adrian, I guess, in their career. So yeah, potentially.”

Besides Aston Martin, Max Verstappen remains a potential target for Toto Wolff, who has long been keen to bring him to Mercedes. According to Nico Rosberg, the Dutchman could consider a move to his former team in 2026.

Wolff has been open about his desire to have the reigning champion on board. While Verstappen is contracted with Red Bull Racing until the end of 2028, contract constraints may not be an obstacle, citing Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari as an example. Ultimately, Red Bull’s performance in 2024 could significantly influence the Dutchman’s future decisions.