Andy Cowell batted away speculation that Aston Martin could one day be a future destination for World Champion Max Verstappen, amid reports surrounding his Red Bull future.
At only the fifth weekend of the campaign, Verstappen’s partnership with Red Bull has proven to be the hot topic in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix paddock after the energy drinks company’s motorsport adviser Helmut Marko said he had «great concern» about the Dutchman’s future with the team.
Those comments sparked a series of questions to Verstappen in Thursday’s official press conference in Jeddah, with Aston Martin one of the teams mentioned as a potential destination despite having deals with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll through 2026 at least.
As the Team Principals assembled for Friday’s official press conference, Aston Martin boss Cowell was the latest to field questions around Verstappen’s future and if the Silverstone-based team would be interested in his services.
Aston Martin boss Cowell brushes off Verstappen talk in Jeddah
“We’re incredibly fortunate that we’ve got two incredibly experienced drivers signed for the next two years, and that means I can just focus on trying to help improve the business and the art of making a fast race car,” said the Aston Martin Team Principal and CEO.
Pressed further as to whether this was a confirmation that there is “no room for Max Verstappen in 2026”, Cowell added: “I’m saying that my head is full of improving the company so that we can make a fast race car for Lance and Fernando.”
With ex-Red Bull designer Adrian Newey having already switched Milton Keynes for Silverstone, and Honda joining Aston Martin next year following their partnership with Red Bull, there’s potential Verstappen could be tempted by a level of familiarity.
However, for that to happen in the near future it would require a radical shakeup of Aston Martin’s driver lineup.
Talk around Verstappen’s Red Bull future has been a hot topic of discussion in the Saudi Arabian paddock
Dismissing fears of losing his seat, Alonso claimed it was “very unlikely” that he would be partnered with Verstappen, but also suggested the links are a compliment to the progress that Aston Martin is making.
“This shows the project we’re in, the future that this team has,” said Alonso in Thursday’s press conference. “As I said always, even last year when I extended the contract, I will drive for as long as I feel fast and I feel competitive and the team needs me behind the wheel.
“But my contract is much longer than my racing career, so I will stay with this team for many years in a different role. And if that means I can win a World Championship while I’m not behind the wheel, I will still feel very proud of the project.”
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