Max Verstappen is nearing the end of his current season racing with Honda power at Red Bull, but recent developments suggest this may not be a permanent farewell. Honda Racing president Koji Watanabe expressed interest in reuniting with Verstappen in the future as the Japanese brand gears up to establish a new engine partnership with Aston Martin. This team has been tied to potential negotiations for securing Verstappen’s services, stirring excitement and speculation among fans and the media.
Despite Verstappen reaffirming his commitment to Red Bull during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, discussions about his future with the team have gained momentum. A performance-related exit clause in Verstappen’s contract, which is valid until the end of 2028, has added fuel to the fire of speculation. La Gazzetta dello Sport recently reported that Aston Martin is preparing an offer worth $300 million to entice Verstappen to move to Silverstone.
Aston Martin insists they are dedicated to their current driver lineup, which features seasoned talents such as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, yet they did not dismiss rumors of a major deal involving Verstappen. “It’s normal for the media to speculate on the driver market, but we have an amazing driver line-up that we are committed to and who are under contract for 2026 and beyond,” a team spokesperson stated emphatically, speaking to PlanetF1.com. They continued, “Our focus is on delivering for our drivers by giving them a more consistent and competitive car. When we do, they are both capable of delivering great results.”
Under Honda power, Verstappen has secured four World Championships, but with significant changes in chassis and engine regulations on the horizon for Formula 1 in 2026, Honda will transition to collaborating with Aston Martin. Meanwhile, Red Bull is preparing to embark on its journey as an engine manufacturer, marking a new chapter in the team’s history.
In addition to the opportunity to partner with Honda again, moving to Aston Martin would allow Verstappen to reconnect with renowned F1 designer Adrian Newey. After leaving Red Bull last year, Newey joined Aston Martin as the managing technical partner and a team shareholder, currently focusing on the brand’s F1 2026 project. This association could prove beneficial for any driver looking to improve their competitive edge, and it certainly adds an intriguing layer to the ongoing discussions surrounding Verstappen’s future.
Should Honda re-establish a working relationship with Verstappen, they would embrace that opportunity enthusiastically. “First of all, we are doing everything we can to help him get his fifth World title this year. And after that, our focus is on our partnership with Aston Martin,” Watanabe commented during an interview with De Telegraaf. He further remarked, “But I must honestly say that I hope that one day an opportunity will present itself again for Honda to work with Max Verstappen. I sincerely hope so.”
Watanabe praised Verstappen’s dedication and communication skills, stating, “I have spoken to him many times, and he has always been positive about our attitude and mentality. Max is also very communicative towards the Honda engineers. He talks to them clearly and that makes the engineers become fans of him and very dedicated. People often see the sportsman, but also for the person Max, I have deep respect.”
After three challenging seasons with McLaren upon their return to Formula 1, Honda commenced engine supply to Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso in 2018; this partnership expanded to encompass Red Bull Racing starting in 2019. By 2021, Verstappen clinched the first title of what has now become a remarkable four-year championship run.
Watanabe reflected on the highlights of the Verstappen-Honda partnership, stating, “The first thing that comes to my mind is still Max’s first win in 2019 in Austria. And especially that when he pointed to the Honda logo on his chest on the podium. That gave all our staff so much joy and pride. Especially because the three years after our return we were struggling tremendously and at rock bottom.”
As the racing world watches closely, the intrigue surrounding Max Verstappen’s future, especially amidst the Aston Martin interest, continues to unfold, leaving fans eager to see how the narrative will develop in the coming months. The implications of these potential shifts could reshape not just Verstappen’s career, but the landscape of Formula 1 itself.
