Key Points Summary – Max Verstappen Aston Martin Contract Rumors
- Max Verstappen offered a jaw-dropping $300 million deal to join Aston Martin F1 from 2026 to 2028.
- The record-breaking offer is reportedly funded by Saudi Arabia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund.
- PIF also plans to buy the Aston Martin F1 team from Lawrence Stroll.
- Verstappen’s Red Bull contract runs through 2028, but exit clauses may allow him to leave after 2025.
- Mercedes showed interest but couldn’t meet Verstappen’s sky-high price.
- McLaren and Ferrari are ruled out due to their current driver lineups.
- The Saudi-backed plan includes Adrian Newey, a Honda engine, and a new factory to turn Aston Martin into a title contender.
- Verstappen denies the move, but insiders say the money may be too much to resist.
Max Verstappen Aston Martin Contract Rumors Send F1 World Into a Frenzy
Formula 1 is no stranger to shocking twists, but this one is making engines stall and jaws drop. Max Verstappen has reportedly been offered a $300 million contract — yes, you read that right — to leave Red Bull and join Aston Martin from 2026 to 2028.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, this record-smashing offer is coming straight from Saudi Arabia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (PIF), and it’s just one piece of a bigger, bolder, and blindingly expensive puzzle that could reshape the F1 power structure for good.
The Eye-Watering Deal: $300 Million Over Three Years
Let’s break it down. That’s $100 million per year — more than double what Verstappen reportedly earns at Red Bull now. That kind of money would make Max the highest-paid driver in Formula 1 history and likely one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.
This isn’t just about fast cars — this is sports, business, and Middle Eastern mega-money all crashing together in the most dramatic way possible.
Saudi Arabia’s Master Plan to Own F1 Glory
So who’s behind this outrageous offer? None other than Saudi Arabia’s PIF, the same deep-pocketed powerhouse that took over Newcastle United and bankrolled LIV Golf. Now, they’ve set their sights on Formula 1 — and they’re going for the jugular.
PIF isn’t just trying to fund Max Verstappen’s contract. They’re reportedly in talks to buy the entire Aston Martin F1 team from billionaire Lawrence Stroll. Yes, we’re talking about a full-on takeover.
And that’s just the start. The Saudi plan includes:
- Building a brand-new, state-of-the-art factory
- Signing engineering wizard Adrian Newey
- Partnering with Honda for a new power unit
- And, of course, landing the three-time World Champion, Max Verstappen
In short, they want to build a team that doesn’t just show up — they want one that dominates.
Verstappen’s Red Bull Contract: Locked In… Or Is It?
Now here’s where it gets spicy. Verstappen is technically under contract with Red Bull through 2028. But insiders say tensions within the team — especially around Red Bull’s internal politics — could open the door for an early exit.
There are exit clauses reportedly written into his contract, especially if key personnel (like Adrian Newey or team principal Christian Horner) leave or are pushed out. And guess what? Newey is already rumored to be flirting with Aston Martin too.
In other words, if the dominoes fall just right — Max Verstappen could be a free agent as soon as 2025.
Who Else Wants Max? Mercedes Tried, But Couldn’t Pay
Mercedes, still looking for a replacement for Lewis Hamilton after his shocking move to Ferrari, showed serious interest in Verstappen. But there was just one problem — they couldn’t match the money.
According to reports, Max’s team made it clear: if you want the best, you have to pay. And while Mercedes has the legacy, they simply couldn’t come up with a package that even came close to Saudi Arabia’s astronomical offer.
McLaren and Ferrari? They’re out. Both teams have full driver lineups under long-term contracts. That leaves Aston Martin as the lone dark horse — with a golden checkbook.
What’s at Stake? Everything.
Let’s be clear: if Verstappen joins Aston Martin, it would be one of the most shocking transfers in F1 history. This isn’t just a driver changing teams. This would be the face of modern Formula 1 ditching Red Bull’s dynasty and potentially building a new one from scratch.
It would also mark Saudi Arabia’s biggest statement yet in global sports, as the nation continues to expand its influence across soccer, golf, boxing, and now Formula 1.
If this goes through, F1 will never be the same again.
Verstappen Responds to Rumors — But Leaves the Door Open
So what does the man himself say?
In public, Verstappen is playing it cool. He’s downplaying the rumors, insisting he’s focused on Red Bull and the current season. But behind the scenes? Sources say the offer is very real — and Max isn’t saying “no.”
How do you turn down $300 million? How do you say no to being the centerpiece of a new F1 empire? And with Red Bull’s inner drama bubbling, how long before Verstappen starts thinking about legacy over loyalty?
What About Lawrence Stroll? Is He Really Selling?
This wouldn’t be happening if Stroll wasn’t ready to cash out. The Canadian billionaire brought his son Lance into F1, invested heavily in Aston Martin’s resurgence, and even built them a new HQ.
But let’s be honest — money talks. And PIF has more money than most countries.
If Stroll sells, it would clear the way for a total rebrand of the team, a clean slate, and perhaps even a new name under Saudi ownership. Think: green paint job today, Saudi silver tomorrow.
The Future of F1 Just Got Wild
Whether or not this deal goes through, one thing is clear: Formula 1 is in a new era, one where national wealth funds are the power players, and drivers are more than athletes — they’re global megastars with billion-dollar price tags.
The next few months will be crucial. Will Max Verstappen jump ship for a record deal and a blank check to build his own dynasty? Or will he stick with Red Bull and ride out his contract?
For now, all eyes are on the 2026 season — and whether Saudi Arabia can turn Aston Martin into a title-winning machine powered by the world’s most expensive driver.
F1’s Next Superteam?
This isn’t just sports news — it’s a Hollywood-level drama. Power. Money. Betrayal. Ambition. Everything is in play.
And at the center of it all? Max Verstappen and the biggest contract offer in F1 history.
He may be smiling on the podium today, but the next move could change the entire sport forever. Buckle up — the F1 grid is about to explode.
