The Formula One world is full of uncertainties. Everything remains ambiguous, whether it’s the technical aspect of an F1 car or a driver’s future. Even a well-settled driver could become a free agent with just one move. Similarly, Max Verstappen’s future remains a mystery as rumors of him leaving Red Bull continue to rise. While the Dutchman has remained coy over a potential team swap, he has never ruled out the possibility of such a move.
Moreover, the increasing entropy within the Milton Keynes-based outfit could force him to act in that direction. Since the departure of Adrian Newey, the management has failed to contain the damage. Further, with Newey joining hands with Aston Martin, the possibility of a Newey-Verstappen reunion is on th cards. Helmut Maro hinted at this potential reunion during a recent media interaction.
“Max Drives Where He Can Win,” Helmut Marko Hints Toward Verstappen’s Red Bull Exit
During an interview with Kleine Zeitung, Helmut Marko said that Max Verstappen’s major goal is to drive for a team that consistently wins races. He mentioned Aston Martin as a possible competitor, adding that the team has the most modern infrastructure, including a new wind tunnel slated to open next year, and will soon be powered by Honda engines. According to Marko, these characteristics are ideally aligned for future success.
Further, Marko reflected on Adrian Newey’s effect, noting that every team he has worked with has had a notable upward trend. He can not understand why Aston Martin should be an exception. While Marko is optimistic that Verstappen can continue to win titles with Red Bull if they negotiate the current season’s hurdles, he also acknowledges the scheduling limits. Adrian Newey will only join Aston Martin on March 1, 2025, giving the crew ample time to prepare and adjust before his influence takes full impact.
The Newey-Honda partnership could be crucial in luring the RBR triple champion. Moroever, the 2026 power unit regulations will be a hurdle for the Milton Keynes-based team. Although they have partnered with Ford, Honda has a broader bandwidth in developing PUs. Therefore, if the Austrian crew continues to struggle with its current project, Verstappen might consider a move to Silverstone.
Max Verstappen Keeps The Door Open Ajar For Aston Martin
Max Verstappen recently stated that his priority is to solve more pressing issues within his squad rather than speculate about prospective moves. Verstappen noted that, while he may contemplate such moves in the future, his immediate focus is to work closely with his present team to fix challenges. Verstappen also stressed his close relationship with Adrian Newey, admitting that he had anticipated Newey’s decision and messaged him after the formal announcement. Though he would have loved Newey to stay, Verstappen supported his choice to pursue other opportunities, particularly at Aston Martin.