Red Bull insiders make surprising claim about Max Verstappen and Adrian Newey relationship amid Aston Martin talk

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Max Verstappen has been linked with a move away from Red Bull throughout 2025, with the Dutchman having several admirers.

The 27-year-old has won the last four championships consecutively with the Milton Keynes outfit. But Red Bull’s regression in performance this year makes his chances of a fifth title increasingly difficult.

It has led to speculation that the four-time champion could be on the move in 2026. Verstappen’s contract runs until 2028 and Christian Horner will be desperate to ensure that he honours that deal.

However, Verstappen does have a get-out clause that will allow him to leave Red Bull if he falls out of the top three in the championship. He is currently sitting third, but is 43 points behind the leader Oscar Piastri.

Mercedes and Aston Martin have been linked with the Dutchman throughout the season as they look to attract him to their respective projects. Ferrari are not pursuing Verstappen as they are happy with their current line-up of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen refused to clarify his future with Red Bull at the Austrian Grand Prix as rumours continue to swirl about where he could end up in 2026. His discontent with the technical department since Adrian Newey left the team could be a huge factor in his decision.

Red Bull insiders claim Max Verstappen and Adrian Newey were not the ‘closest of companions’

Verstappen has ruled out joining Aston Martin in 2026, despite the team having Newey and Honda on board their project at Silverstone. Journalist Craig Slater may have shared a key reason why he will not move to the team after speaking with insiders at Red Bull.

Speaking via Ted’s Podbook with pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz, Slater has heard that Verstappen and Newey were not the ‘closest of companions’ at Red Bull.

“He also pointed [out] that he did not want to comment on Perez’s claim that since Adrian Newey has gone, that’s been the trigger of all Red Bull’s issues,” he said.

“People tell me that they did not have… I’m not saying Max and Adrian Newey had a kind of problem relationship at Red Bull.

“But I’m not sure that they were the closest of companions in arms, if you like. That’s been expressed to me.”

Slater did stress, however, that the pair did have a working professional relationship, as he added: “Professionally, I do think they hold each other in high regard, but what I’m saying is it’s been expressed by one or two people that they didn’t maybe click as personalities.”

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

Max Verstappen is seriously considering leaving Red Bull as ‘alarm bells’ are set off

While Verstappen has seemed to have ruled out a move to Aston Martin, it has not ruled out the possibility of him leaving Red Bull.

Verstappen is considering joining Mercedes in 2026, which has set off ‘alarm bells’ at Red Bull. They fear that this weekend’s Austrian GP could be his last for the team.

Mercedes are yet to tie down George Russell and Kimi Antonelli to new contracts for 2026. Toto Wolff is happy with his current line-up, but he surely will not pass on another opportunity to sign Verstappen if he becomes available.

Mercedes are tipped to have the fastest engine in 2026 under the new regulations. With doubts coming out about Red Bull’s power unit next season, the four-time champion could seriously consider his future with the team.