Aston Martin’s Verstappen Pursuit ‘Logical’ As Newey Factor Looms, Says Marko

Aston Martin chasing Max Verstappen? Red Bull’s Dr. Helmut Marko isn’t shocked. The Lawrence Stroll-owned outfit, fresh off snagging design wizard Adrian Newey for 2025, is reportedly dangling a long-term deal worth up to $1 billion to lure the four-time champ. Marko, Verstappen’s mentor and Red Bull’s sharp-tongued advisor, sees the logic—Newey’s in Max’s corner, and the Silverstone squad’s got ambition to burn.

“It’s no secret that Newey is a big fan of Max’s,” Marko, 81, told motorsport-total.com. “It’s only logical that they make him an offer.” The Dutch ace, 27, has a contract with Red Bull through 2028, but whispers from the UK press say Aston’s playing a long game. Photos this week caught Verstappen testing a Verstappen.com-branded Aston Martin GT3 in France—fuel for the fire.

Marko’s not buying the coincidence. “If you have a Newey who certainly expresses his own ideas and wishes on the driver side, it would only be logical if Aston Martin tried to make Max an offer,” he said. “Officially, the contact came about through Max’s passion for GT, and Max is the team owner and drives these GT cars himself on a regular basis. Apparently the Aston Martin is one of the most interesting cars in terms of its base. A car like this will be built into Max’s GT structure.” A slick GT3 ride as bait? Marko calls it “the carrot”—smart bait for a racer who lives for the wheel.

Verstappen’s played it coy, admitting only to GT talks with Aston. But a $1 billion handshake? Marko’s skeptical. “I doubt whether it is really that high, especially with Aston Martin’s current share price,” he said. “It is said to have been a high offer. But we don’t know whether the offer really exists.” A billion’s a stretch—Stroll’s deep pockets aren’t infinite, and Aston’s stock isn’t screaming cash bonanza.

Newey’s pull is real, and Aston’s nabbed him for ’25, banking on his genius to vault them up the grid. Pair that with Verstappen, who’s bagged nine victories in 2024 despite McLaren’s constructors’ crown, and you’ve got a dream ticket. Marko knows it—Red Bull’s grip on Max isn’t ironclad forever.

For now, it’s smoke and mirrors. Verstappen’s GT gig could be just that—a side hustle for his Verstappen.com crew. Or it’s the opening lap in a bigger race. “It’s only logical,” Marko repeated, twice over—Newey’s fandom and Aston’s hunger make it add up. Red Bull’s got the champ, but Aston’s revving their engines…