Max Verstappen interest leaves Aston Martin flattered

Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell has highlighted his squad is flattered by the interest shown in the team by Max Verstappen.

Verstappen's future was a hot topic for much of the year before the Dutchman confirmed he would remain put at Red Bull next year.

Verstappen has a contract with the team that runs through 2028, but Red Bull's position in the pecking order earlier this season placed the deal in doubt amid talk of an exit clause related to performance.

Aston Martin was labelled as a potential option for Verstappen, with Adrian Newey, the mastermind behind his four F1 titles, now heading the squad's technical department.

Verstappen has highlighted that he is following Aston Martin's project with interest.

Reacting to the words from Verstappen, Cowell told Motorsport.com: “At some point, the whole paddock sees that there is an ambition to develop ourselves from a team that has been about survival for a long time to a team that is here to win. 

“That Max showed media interest - although I don't know exactly what the right word is - that is flattering. 

“He sees that our team is determined and that the team is making the right moves.”

Mercedes showed interest in poaching Verstappen from Red Bull, with team boss Toto Wolff stating teams would do “handstands”  to sign the four-time champion. 

"I'm not good at doing a handstand, even in the pool I still struggle with that,” Cowell quipped. 

Aston Martin is set to field an unchanged line-up next year with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll for a fourth consecutive season.