Aston Martin refuse to rule out mega-money move for Max Verstappen

Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell has refused to rule out a mega-money move for Max Verstappen, with the Dutchman continuing to be linked with a Red Bull exit.  Verstappen has been rumoured for several months with a potential future move to Aston Martin, who will become a Honda works team next year when the new power unit regulations are introduced. In addition, the Silverstone-based outfit also has legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey working on its car for 2026.  Red Bull has struggled ever since Newey departed the Austrian team, with Verstappen having enjoyed significant success with the 66-year-old and Honda.  Helmut Marko, Red Bull's motorsport advisor, has acknowledged that it risks losing the four-time world champion if it cannot deliver a strong car, something it is currently struggling to do. Aston Martin has already been rumoured earlier this year with a staggering $1 billion deal for the 27-year-old, which it categorically denied.  It has Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll under contract until the end of next season, whilst Verstappen's deal expires at the end of 2028 Ahead of this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Alonso insisted that Verstappen being linked to the team is a compliment to its improvement, whilst Cowell is focusing on the task at hand. "We're incredibly fortunate that we've got two experienced drivers signed for the next two years, and that means I can just focus on trying to help improve the business and the art of making a fast race car," Cowell told select media including RacingNews365 .  When pushed to answer if there was no room for Verstappen next year, Cowell responded: "I'm saying that my head's full of improving the company so that we can make a fast race car for Lance and Fernando."