If Max Verstappen would end up joining Aston Martin ahead of the 2026 season, one of their drivers under contract would have to give up their seat. According to the Daily Mail, it clear who that driver would be.
Suddenly the rumours are back: Aston Martin are said to have as much as one billion British pounds as they target Max Verstappen. Jefferson Slack, the managing director of the British team, is even said to have told potential sponsors that the Dutch world champion will join from Red Bull Racing, the Daily Mail reported. An Aston Martin spokesman denied this news.
Indeed, he pointed out that Aston Martin have two drivers under contract for the 2026 season, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. However, it is well known that contracts in Formula 1 are not always completed by the drivers. If a team wants to get rid of someone, they will eventually succeed. After the 2024 season for example, Sergio Perez was sidelined by Red Bull Racing, despite having a contact for 2025.
The end of story for Lance Stroll
Since team owner Lawrence Stroll once bought Racing Point (now Aston Martin) to allow his son Lance to compete in Formula 1, according to the Daily Mail, it would be Lance who should leave if Verstappen would end up joining. Indeed, Stroll Sr. would realise that Verstappen defeat his son by such margin that he would prefer not to see that happen, the newspaper believes.
Moreover, in the event of Verstappen's arrival, it would be easy to sell to Lance that it would be for the better for him to step aside. Lawrence sees the Dutchman as the candidate to win Aston Martin their first Formula 1 world title.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sárközi
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