Adrian Newey on Attracting Max Verstappen to Aston Martin
Monaco Grand Prix, [Date] – Adrian Newey, Aston Martin’s newly appointed Managing Technical Partner, has identified a clear strategy to draw reigning world champion Max Verstappen to the team: building a competitive car. Newey, who joined Aston Martin on April 3, aims to fortify the technical backbone of the team as part of a major restructuring led by owner Lawrence Stroll.
As Aston Martin positions itself for a title challenge under Formula 1’s new regulations, it has also secured Honda as its engine partner for the 2026 season. Speculation surrounding Verstappen’s future has intensified, especially in light of his Red Bull contract, which contains exit clauses allowing him to leave if he is not contending for championships. However, recent performance improvements from Red Bull suggest that Verstappen is likely to remain with the team through 2026.
"In order to ever attract Max, the foremost requirement is to build a fast car," Newey emphasized during an interview in Monaco. He noted that Verstappen, recognized for his exceptional talent, will always prioritize a team’s capability to deliver speed above all else.
Newey is also optimistic about collaborating with double world champion Fernando Alonso. Regarding the team’s driver, Lance Stroll, he defended Stroll’s skills, stating, "Any driver who gets to Formula 1 is clearly very good, but I think Lance is much better than people give him credit for."
As Aston Martin aims for future competitiveness, Newey’s strategic insights highlight the unwavering importance of performance in securing top-tier talent.
