Formula One world champion Max Verstappen is set to receive a £226m offer to leave Red Bull and join rivals Aston Martin, according to reports.
The Dutchman, currently in action at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, has dominated the sport in recent years, winning four world titles in a row.
But there have been rumours of a dramatic rift between the 27-year-old star driver, his father Jos and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
It is thought that the performance of this season’s car has done little to lighten the mood – with Red Bull looking to have only the fourth-best in the field – which may prove too difficult for Verstappen to win his fifth title.
Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport now reports that Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is prepared to offer €264m (£226m) over three years in order to bring Verstappen to Silverstone-based Aston Martin.
The PIF currently owns 20 per cent of Aston Martin Lagonda and sponsors the F1 team through oil giant Aramco.
Aston Martin’s current drivers are Fernando Alonso – 43 years of age – and Lance Stroll, who is the son of the team’s majority owner Lawrence.
Saudi’s PIF plotting full Aston Martin takeover
Italian reports also claim that the PIF is keen to take over ownership of Aston Martin from Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll.
Should that happen, the PIF may decide to replace Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll with Max Verstappen, if they can successfully poach the Dutchman away from Red Bull.
Aston Martin team principal responds to Max Verstappen rumours
Andy Cowell, Aston Martin’s team principal, has been quizzed about the Verstappen rumours in a Saudi Arabian Grand Prix press conference.
Quizzed if the team would be interested in Verstappen’s services, Cowell said: ‘We’re incredibly fortunate that we’ve got two incredibly experienced drivers (Alonso and Stroll) signed for the next two years.
How much would Max Verstappen earn a year?
Max Verstappen’s current yearly salary of around €50m (£42.8m) would increase to €88m (£75.4m) if he moved across to Aston Martin.
‘That means I can just focus on trying to help improve the business and the art of making a fast race car.’
Asked if that was confirmation there was no room for Verstappen in 2026, Cowell added: ‘I’m saying that my head is full of improving the company so that we can make a fast race car for Lance and Fernando.’
Could Max Verstappen head to Mercedes instead?
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, said last month he had put last year’s public attempts to sign Verstappen on hold.
But both of Mercedes’ drivers – George Russell and Kimi Antonelli – are out of contract at the end of this year, fuelling speculation that they may make a fresh attempt to land Verstappen.
The Dutch racer has repeatedly said that any future decisions will be driven by sporting factors rather than financial incentive.
Russell says it is ‘totally understandable’ why Mercedes would want to sign Verstappen.
‘Why wouldn’t they want to sign Max? It’s totally understandable’ Russell told PA ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
‘He’s the best at the moment. He’s a four-time world champion. That’s not anything against me or Kimi [Antonelli]. There’s two drivers for every team and he is one person.
‘So that doesn’t concern me one bit because the performance is my currency, and right now I think I am performing as good as anyone on this grid.’