Helmut Marko has dismissed concerns of a possible defection of Max Verstappen to the Aston Martin F1 project. Verstappen was linked with a billion-pound move to Aston Martin in a report in the Daily Mail in January before the Silverstone-based squad quickly squashed the rumour, pointing to the fact that both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are on long-term contracts. The four-time world champion does have growing links to Aston, although this is through sportscar with his Verstappen.com Racing outfit, who run a GT3 machine supplied by Aston. F1 team owner Lawrence Stroll has heavily invested in a state-of-the-art factory to replace the old Jordan facilities at the team's hub, with a works Honda engine deal also set to come into action from the start of 2026, ending a customer Mercedes supply that stretches back to the Force India guise of the team. Red Bull endured a tricky pre-season test in Bahrain, with the RB21 off the pace, but reflecting on the pecking order, motorsport advisor Marko also offered his thoughts on Verstappen to Aston Martin. "We need to provide Max with a car with which he can win the world championship," Marko told F1 Insider . "If that is the case, I am not worried about a possible transfer. After testing in Bahrain, I am in good spirits. "The test was positive, the car responds to changes in set-up. We are still behind McLaren, but not by that much, maybe two-tenths at most." The veteran Austrian also explained to OE24 that he understood the persistent rumours linking Verstappen to Aston Martin, who has recently welcomed Adrian Newey as managing technical partner after luring him from Red Bull. "Every top team boss who wants to compete for the world title must be interested in Max," Marko said. "But now we want to win our fifth title."
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