Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen is reportedly considering a dramatic departure from Red Bull, with growing speculation linking him to a historic contract offer from Aston Martin.
According to La Gazzetta, the 27-year-old has been offered a staggering £226 million ($300 million) deal over three years, backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign fund—potentially the largest contract in F1 history.
Despite being under contract with Red Bull until 2028, Verstappen is said to be “determined to leave” at the end of the season, especially following the team’s disappointing performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he finished sixth.
This news follows in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton’s shock switch from Mercedes to McLaren, prompting speculation that Verstappen might also be seeking a fresh challenge.
Performance Clause Could Trigger Exit
Reports suggest Verstappen’s contract may include a performance-based release clause, which could allow him to leave Red Bull early if the team fails to remain competitive.
Speaking ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen appeared to downplay the rumours:
“Honestly, a lot of people are talking about it except me. I just want to focus on my car and my team. That’s all I’m thinking about in F1 right now.”
While expressing loyalty to his team, Verstappen acknowledged ongoing frustrations:
“I’m happy at Red Bull, I’m just not happy with our car. But we all want to improve—it’s no secret.”
Red Bull’s Growing Concern
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko admitted after Bahrain that the team is worried about losing their star driver:
“The concern is great. We know we need to step up.”
The F1 world is now watching closely to see if Verstappen will follow through on a potential blockbuster move—one that could reshape the competitive landscape of Formula 1.
