Max Verstappen and Adrian Newey now seen as feasible targets by Red Bull rivals

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One of Red Bull’s F1 competitors will make a concerted push to snatch Max Verstappen and Adrian Newey, according to a report.

Verstappen is under contract until the end of the 2028 season but there has recently been uncertainty around his future.

Formu1a.uno now reports that a rival team could try to lure the three-time world champion away from Christian Horner’s outfit.

Verstappen has won the last three titles with Red Bull and appears on course for a fourth after winning the first two races of this year in dominant fashion.

However, he knows there will be a major regulation change in 2026 that could shake up the grid.

In addition, Verstappen’s deal isn’t completely watertight, for it features a clause that reportedly allows him to depart if director Helmut Marko moves on.

Mercedes’ interest is already known, with Toto Wolff personally pushing for the 26-year-old to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.

Wolff believes the Silver Arrows could become a viable option if they are best prepared for the 2026 engine overhaul.

Red Bull appear to have drawn up some contingency plans in the event that Verstappen does leave, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri identified as a possible replacement.

Mercedes and Ferrari have already shown interest in Adrian Newey

Chief designer Newey, meanwhile, has been the architect behind the team’s recent dominance.

Last year, the Briton’s RB19 won 21 out of 22 races, making it statistically the most dominant car in F1 history.

The RB20 already looks like a worthy successor and is set to deliver a 13th constructors’ championship for the legendary 65-year-old.

Wolff has refused to rule out an approach for Newey, while Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft has said he ‘would love’ to see him join Hamilton at Ferrari.

During his long F1 career, he’s received three offers to join the Scuderia.

It was recently claimed that Horner wanted to shift Newey onto Red Bull’s RB17 hypercar project full-time for budgetary reasons.

In response, Red Bull insisted that they had no plans to make such a decision, and expressed confidence that he would stay.

Aston Martin eye sensational Verstappen and Newey double swoop

It’s now emerged that Aston Martin are targeting two the Red Bull ‘heavyweights’.

Rather than dream additions, they are seen as ‘realistic targets’ following recent changes behind the scenes.

State-owned Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco have acquired a stake in the team and are exploring a takeover after becoming title sponsor.

Aston Martin, already valued at more than £1billion, know that the salaries of Verstappen and Newey would not contribute to F1’s cost cap.

They will part company with Mercedes and instead begin an engine supply deal with Honda for 2026, which is expected to make them more attractive for the world champion.

Will Verstappen join Aston Martin for 2025?

Team owner Lawrence Stroll is apparently willing to do whatever it takes to acquire Verstappen.

Meanwhile, team principal Mike Krack was tight-lipped on a potential move.

Aston finished fifth in last year’s standings, with Fernando Alonso scoring all eight of their podiums, but appear to have regressed this year.

Alonso began the 2023 season with back-to-back podiums and has only been able to manage a ninth and a fifth so far this term.

Given the success he has enjoyed the Milton Keynes outfit, it would be extraordinary if Verstappen opted to leave.

Rival Charles Leclerc believes that he and Red Bull need one another to sustain their current level of success.