Aston Martin’s Mike Krack Leaves the Door Open for Max Verstappen as Adrian Newey Joins the Team
Aston Martin’s team principal, Mike Krack, has hinted at the possibility of Max Verstappen making a future move to the Silverstone-based team. This comes in the wake of the high-profile signing of Adrian Newey, widely regarded as the most brilliant technical mind in Formula One.
Newey, who has been synonymous with championship-winning designs at Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull, will join Aston Martin on March 2, 2025. His move is a monumental one, involving a long-term contract worth approximately £20 million annually. The 65-year-old’s departure from Red Bull, announced earlier in May, marks the end of an era after nearly two decades with the team.
As for Verstappen, who is currently tied to Red Bull until 2028 and has clinched the last three world championships in Newey-designed cars, his future beyond 2025 remains uncertain. The upcoming regulatory changes in 2026 could play a pivotal role in shaping his career trajectory.
Krack views Newey’s impending arrival as a significant boost for Aston Martin’s credibility and attractiveness as a team. “The door for Max Verstappen is always open, in my opinion,” Krack stated, reflecting on the enhanced allure the team will now have. “Newey’s signing signals serious intent and demonstrates that our project is on the path to achieving its ambitious goals.”
Newey’s arrival will see him working alongside Lance Stroll, the 25-year-old son of Aston Martin’s owner Lawrence Stroll, and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who will be 45 by the start of the 2026 season—the first year Newey will fully influence the car’s design. Krack believes that Alonso, who is already excited about the prospect of working with Newey, might even extend his stay with the team beyond his current contract.
“Fernando is thrilled about Newey’s arrival,” Krack revealed. “He was so enthusiastic about it that he joked about using some of his wages to pay Adrian himself! The mutual respect between them is evident, and I believe Adrian has always wanted to collaborate with someone of Fernando’s caliber, and vice versa.”
With such high-caliber figures now on board, Aston Martin is poised to make significant strides in the competitive world of Formula One.
