Adrian Newey’s ‘impressive’ Max Verstappen verdict explains why he would be perfect for Aston Martin

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Adrian Newey is hard at work behind the scenes at Aston Martin, preparing for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Formula 1’s upcoming regulation changes are challenging all 11 teams who will be on the grid next year, but few would bet against Adrian Newey nailing the new ruleset.

Newey has the most impressive CV in Formula 1 history, playing a part in 12 constructors’ championships and 14 drivers’ championships during his career.

One of the drivers who provided so much success for Newey during his time at Red Bull was Max Verstappen.

Verstappen has won the last four championships and has put himself in contention to win a fifth consecutive title this year against the odds.

Aston Martin have been linked with signing Verstappen, with Fernando Alonso’s long-term future under the microscope due to his age, and question marks over whether Lance Stroll can achieve the success that the team are seeking.

Newey’s latest admission about the Dutch driver only highlights even further why Verstappen would be such a good signing for Aston Martin if and when they need a new driver.

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin managing technical partner Adrian Newey

Adrian Newey hails ‘mightily impressive’ Max Verstappen and praises F1 legend Ayrton Senna

Newey was asked who the greatest drivers he’s ever worked with were on the James Allen on F1 Podcast.

Unsurprisingly, Verstappen was one of his answers, and he said: “Max, now I think, is absolutely outstanding as well. He’s not had the easiest upbringing, I don’t think that’s a secret, but his maturity is amazing.

“His ability to handle pressure, soak up pressure, he seems to have this ability where whatever is going on in his life, when he puts that helmet on and gets in the car, all the noise is switched off and he can just go out and race, which is mightily impressive in a sportsman, I think.”

In addition to this, Newey also spoke about Ayrton Senna and explained: “Ayrton, unfortunately, was only a very short relationship.

“I mean, what mightily impressed me, when we were talking about drivers having interests outside of what they are always doing.

“Ayrton, when I was at Williams, late 1993, he came to the factory for the first time. And I was given the privilege by Frank [Williams] and Patrick [Head] of showing Ayrton around the factory.

“So, he got to the wind tunnel and straight away, he was down on his hands and knees, looking at the back at the rear suspension, spotted that that was a bit different to anything that had been done before, asking all about it, why had we done this, why had we done that, what was the purpose of this, etc.

“I needed to be on my toes to answer his questions. So I think Ayrton, without doubt, was outstanding.”

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Why Max Verstappen is the driver Aston Martin have to sign once Fernando Alonso retires

Alonso has recently addressed when he might retire from Formula 1, as he prepares for the beginning of the 2026 campaign as a 44-year-old.

Lewis Hamilton is the only other driver over the age of 40 on the grid, and the last driver to start an F1 race over the age of 45 was the legendary Graham Hill back in 1975.

This means that sooner rather than later, at least one seat is likely to open up within the team, although F1 Oversteer understands that Aston Martin might be looking for two new drivers in 2027.

Verstappen would unsurprisingly be the top target for any team who were looking to sign a driver next season.

There are question marks about Red Bull’s competitiveness going into 2026, and if Verstappen is outside the top two in the drivers’ championship at the summer break, it’s understood he could activate a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave.

The idea of working alongside Newey and power unit suppliers Honda would likely appeal to Verstappen, and the amount of investment going into the team suggests they’re only heading in one direction.