Formula One star Max Verstappen could be on the verge of a sensational switch from Red Bull to rivals Aston Martin, with a staggering £226 million offer reportedly on the table.
The Dutchman, currently competing in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, has been the sport’s dominant force, securing four consecutive world titles. However, all is not well within the Red Bull camp.
Reported have been the tensions that recently emerged from Verstappen, his father Jos and above all the Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner. With Verstappen's name on contract lines, there is a lot of mystery looming over the current condition-an unsettled environment, plus a car believed to be not as competitive this 2023-as to what would happen with the racer in relation to the team in the long run.
Supposedly, the Red Bull challenger for 2025 is now said to be contending as the car ranked fourth in the performance levels among the cars in the grid-a huge and rather alarming performance drop that may shatter Verstappen's hope of achieving a fifth championship.
There is an Unprecedented Initiaive for Saudi-Backed Aston Martin
According to the Italian-based La Gazzetta dello Sport, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is ready at an astounding offer of 264 million euros (226 million pounds) across three years just to bring Verstappen into Aston Martin.
The PIF already owns a fifth stake in Aston Martin Lagonda and also patronizes the F1 outfit through its sponsorship deal with oil giant Aramco. Currently, the two drivers who run for the Silverstone-based team are the 43-year-old veteran Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll.
Outlook for Full Control? PIF Eyes Aston Martin
The same reports claim that the PIF is currently barking up the tree for a complete takeover of Aston Martin. If the Saudi-backed fund is successful, it can open a whole host of possibilities, including a major reshuffling such as replacing Lance Stroll with Verstappen.
Such a move would dramatically reshape the team ambitions and soul into ushering a new era with arguably the best driver in the sport.
Aftermath of Aston Martin Team Principal's Response to the Rumors
When confronted with questions concerning Verstappen during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix press conference, Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell simply sidestepped the issue.
"We're incredibly fortunate that we've got two incredibly experienced drivers signed on for the next two years, Cowell said.
It continues to be further stretched on that ruling out a Verstappen move in 2026, Cowell continued, "I'm saying that my head is full of improving the company so that we can make a fast race car for Lance and Fernando."
Higher Chances of Salary for Verstappen
Thus, by accepting the offer, Verstappen's annual salary would jump from €50 million (£42.8m) to an astonishing €88 million (£75.4m)-among the most profitable contracts in the history of Formula 1.
Verstappen has always mentioned that he bases his decisions on where to head next, not on money but competitive prospects regarding the future of a team.
Mercedes Still in the Frame for Verstappen's Signatures
Mercedes' principal Toto Wolff leaves nothing to the imagination with his admiration of Verstappen. While he actually resigned from the pursuit last season, he internally revives the speculation around the Dutchman joining the Silver Arrows.
It makes a double for Mercedes as both Georg Russell and teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli will be leaving at the end of the year, thus paving way for Verstappen to emerge.
Russell acknowledged the logic behind Mercedes’ interest in Verstappen.
“Why wouldn’t they want to sign Max? It’s totally understandable,” Russell told PA ahead of the Saudi GP.
“He’s the best at the moment. He’s a four-time world champion. That’s not anything against me or Kimi [Antonelli]. There’s two drivers for every team and he is one person.
So that doesn’t concern me one bit because the performance is my currency, and right now I think I am performing as good as anyone on this grid.”