The link between Aston Martin and Max Verstappen is the story that just won't die. Now the team has reportedly offered him 2 billion kroner to leave Red Bull.
First, The Daily Mirror wrote that Aston Martin has offered Max Verstappen a whopping 9 billion kroner to leave Red Bull.
Both parties denied this immediately afterwards, but the connection between Aston Martin and the fast Dutchman is apparently a story that just won't die.
Now the British newspaper The Independent also writes that Aston Martin is ready with a contract worth at least 2 billion Danish kroner.
Verstappen can get it if he triggers the performance clause he apparently has at Red Bull. A clause that, at least in theory, could make the Dutchman a free man.
La Gazzetta dello Sport has also picked up the story. Here, it is believed that it is the Saudi investment fund, PIF, which, through the Aramco sponsorship of Aston Martin, is ready to offer Verstappen the staggering salary.
Saudi money must convince Verstappen
Officially, however, Aston Martin is not very keen on talking about the connection to the fast Dutchman, if there is one at all.
"Our focus is to deliver reliable and competitive cars to our racing drivers. When we do that, they deliver great results," the Aston Martin spokesperson said, according to The Independent.
However, the speculation has been further fueled by the fact that Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko admitted as recently as last week that there are doubts about whether the team can keep Verstappen.
Max Verstappen is reportedly following Marko, although the long-time technical advisor has caused quite a bit of unrest on internal lines, most recently with the demotion of Liam Lawson after just two Formula 1 races.
– I continue to work and improve the car, and we continue to develop new ideas that can be tested, but the competition is tough.
– I'm just trying to improve my situation, said Max Verstappen in a press conference after the race in Saudi Arabia.
