Max Verstappen’s reunion with Adrian Newey at Aston Martin is possible after the reigning world champion revealed the move might be under consideration for the future.
the reigning three-time Formula 1 World Champion, has recently sparked speculation about a possible future move to Aston Martin, particularly in light of Adrian Newey’s appointment as the team’s new Managing Technical Partner.
Newey, a legendary figure in F1 engineering, is set to join Aston Martin in March 2025, and his presence could significantly alter the competitive landscape of the sport. He has been instrumental in Red Bull’s success over the past two decades and will transition to his new role after completing his commitments to the RB17 hypercar project.
Verstappen, who has won all of his 61 Grand Prix victories and three world titles in Newey-designed cars at Red Bull, acknowledged that Newey’s move to Aston Martin could make the team more appealing to drivers.
“I think everyone would like to work with Adrian, I guess, in their career. So yeah, potentially it is (a more attractive proposition),” Verstappen remarked during a press conference at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Despite having a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, Verstappen has been heavily linked with a switch to Aston Martin, particularly with the team switching to Honda power in 2026 – a relationship he has enjoyed great success.
Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack has stated that “the door for Max Verstappen is always open” should he wish to join the team in the future, a declaration that has further fueled speculation about possible Verstappen’s reunion with Adrian Newey.
The team is keen to position itself as a strong contender in F1, and securing a driver of Verstappen’s caliber would be a significant step in that direction.
Reports suggest that team owner Lawrence Stroll is actively pursuing Verstappen for the 2026 season, coinciding with the introduction of new regulations that could reshape the competitive landscape.
However, while the prospect of Verstappen’s reunion with Adrian Newey at Aston Martin is intriguing, the Red Bull star remains committed to his team. He has reiterated that his primary focus is on addressing the challenges they are facing this season.
“I have other worries at the moment that I’m paying a lot of attention to and working on,” he remarked, emphasizing that any considerations about a move would be for the future.
He acknowledged that he would have loved Newey to stay but downplayed the link between the latter’s exit and Red Bull’s recent dip in form.
“To be honest, that’s fine, Adrian and I, we have a very good understanding,” Verstappen added. “I sent him a message 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.
“Of course, I always said I would have loved him to stay, but at one point you cannot 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, of course, that he wants to have Adrian on his side.”
As Aston Martin continues to make significant investments in infrastructure and personnel, the possibility of Verstappen’s reunion with Adrian Newey becomes increasingly plausible. However, for now, he remains committed to Red Bull and resolving the issues with the RB20.
