Max Verstappen was linked with Aston Martin in early 2025 – why the rumors were even “flattering” for CEO and team boss Andy Cowell
At the beginning of this year, a wild rumor about Max Verstappen caused a stir: Aston Martin was said to have tried to lure the world champion to Silverstone with a billion-dollar offer. The supposed interest of the 28-year-old Dutchman even made the British smile.
“The fact that Max is showing interest in the media—I don’t know how to put it exactly, but the fact that Max is showing interest in the media is flattering,” CEO and team principal Andy Cowell told Motorsport.com.
“He sees in his eyes that this is a team that is determined and taking the right steps,” believes the Briton, who is convinced that Aston Martin is on the right track. “Since Lawrence took over the team, his words have been backed up by actions.”
“When you see the campus, the investments being made there, when you see how he goes about recruiting people like Adrian [Newey]—he is determined. And at this moment, the entire paddock can see that this is a team that is moving from a survival strategy to a team that wants to win.”
Aston Martin wants to be “a natural choice”
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff once said that every team boss in Formula 1 would “do a handstand” to sign Verstappen. “I’m not particularly good at handstands! Even in the swimming pool, I struggle,” laughs Cowell.
Aston Martin’s main goal right now is to build a car that is so competitive that it becomes a natural choice for all the top drivers in Formula 1. “We are really lucky to have Lance [Stroll] and Fernando [Alonso], who have a wealth of experience, at least until the end of 2026.”
“That means we have drivers we can talk openly with about next year,” says the team boss. “When I talk to Adrian and all the engineers, we want to develop a really fast race car. And then we want every driver with a super license to want to drive our car.”
Will Alonso still be driving for Aston Martin in 2027?
Although Aston Martin’s drivers are not up for discussion for next season, the driver market could become an issue again with a view to 2027. Alonso recently announced that 2026 could be his last Formula 1 season if the new car is good enough to end his career on a high note.
However, if Aston Martin’s 2026 car is not competitive, the Spaniard also hinted that he could potentially drive longer. “I haven’t had any conversations with him about that,” Cowell reveals. “His conversations with me last year were exclusively about 2026.”
“I think Fernando is already thinking about the end of 2026 and what comes after that, but we are working hard to ensure that we are in the best possible position for 2026, 2027, and beyond,” says the team boss. “Fernando has shown that he is a phenomenal competitor. Age doesn’t seem to matter to him. His age seems to be a strength!”
