P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen’s entourage is reportedly engaged in “ongoing” negotiations with Aston Martin over a deal to prise the reigning F1 champion from Red Bull.
F1 reporter Mark Hughes claimed that moving to Aston Martin would be the obvious next step in Verstappen’s career, despite being contracted to Red Bull until 2028. Speculation arose due to the situation at his current team and a 10-race winless run caused by a power struggle behind the scenes. Red Bull’s competitiveness decline may lead Verstappen to consider other options, with Mercedes showing interest if Red Bull fails to address performance issues. Aston Martin’s potential £1 billion bid and improvements ahead of the 2026 rule changes make it an appealing destination for Verstappen. Hughes believes negotiations for the move are ongoing and would make sense for both parties involved.
