Max Verstappen talks with Red Bull and Mercedes rival ‘already underway’ over 2026 move

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Although the Formula 1 grid for 2025 is nearly complete, there is still speculation surrounding some of the biggest teams and drivers in the paddock.

Mercedes, RB, Alpine and Sauber / Audi are the four manufacturers who have yet to confirm their completed line-ups for next season.

Toto Wolff’s outfit are by far the most attractive of the quartet of teams with a seat available but there are only two names in contention to join George Russell next year.

Youngster Kimi Antonelli is the favourite to join Mercedes next year after finding his feet in recent weeks in Formula 2.

Antonelli isn’t 18 until the end of the month and it would be a surprise if he didn’t feature in a free practice session before the campaign ends.

The other option Mercedes are chasing is Max Verstappen who is currently on course to win his fourth straight world championship with 10 race weekends remaining.

However, Verstappen’s seat at Red Bull appears to be safe for now, but there are fewer guarantees the further into the future you look.

A report from the Italian outlet Autosprint suggests that one of Red Bull’s rivals are now making a big play to hire Verstappen.

Verstappen has been unhappy in recent races with Red Bull’s performances and they’ve no longer got the fastest car on the grid.

New regulations are coming in 2026 and there are no guarantees that Red Bull will be a leading manufacturer when that rolls around.

Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll senses an opportunity and is desperate to hire Verstappen.

So much so, that the two parties might already be in talks over a move in just 18 months.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Negotiations between Max Verstappen and Aston Martin ‘already underway’ over 2026 move

The report from Autosprint initially talks about how Aston Martin have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Adrian Newey.

Newey would be a huge coup and almost every team on the grid would love to work with him after he confirmed his Red Bull exit.

However, Lawrence Stroll is reportedly aiming to reunite Newey and Verstappen at Aston Martin in the future.

They go on to say that negotiations are ‘already underway’ to sign Verstappen in time for the 2026 season.

They admit that channels are still open with Mercedes and the Dutchman’s current contract runs until 2028.

Aston Martin hope that having Newey, Dan Fallows and Honda engines could lead to Verstappen potentially showing more interest in the team if he decides to leave Red Bull.

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

Aston Martin need to show serious improvement to attract Max Verstappen

Team principal Mike Krack has a lot of work to do if he wants Aston Martin to be in a position to convince Verstappen that he should leave Red Bull for the Silverstone-based outfit.

Aston Martin’s incredible new factory is nearly finished which will be the envy of the rest of the paddock.

However, things aren’t going particularly well on the track with the team cut adrift of the top four in the Constructors’ Championship.

Krack has denied that Aston Martin are lost with their updates but progress has been slow and inconsistent on that front.

Fernando Alonso has been left annoyed by the lack of progress but the prospect of potentially lining up alongside Verstappen would certainly keep him interested.