Juan Pablo Montoya has predicted Max Verstappen will obtain “a suggestion he cannot refuse” to affix the Aston Martin F1 crew within the close to future.
Verstappen has a contract in place with Purple Bull till the tip of the 2028 season – nonetheless he has persistently been linked with an early exit over the past 12 months amid discuss of an exit clause.
Final 12 months, it was reported Aston Martin was sizing up a $1 billion provide to poach Verstappen from Purple Bull – a declare that was denied by the Silverstone-based squad.
With Adrian Newey, the technical mastermind behind Verstappen’s championship-winning Purple Bull automobiles, now working at Aston Martin, Montoya has signalled the crew as a vacation spot for Verstappen.
“I believe Max will get a suggestion he can’t refuse from Aston Martin,” Montoya instructed Vision4Sport.
“He would possibly give Purple Bull an opportunity for a 12 months and an opportunity for Adrian to start out figuring it out. Adrian can’t try this instantly. It is a new entire group and everybody wants to start out working collectively.
“Are they going to be higher than the place they’re subsequent 12 months? For positive. However I do not assume they’ll begin profitable a string of races.”
The 2026 season will happen beneath new technical laws which may shake up the F1 pecking order.
Montoya has predicted Verstappen will use the primary three races to make up his thoughts about whether or not or not he stays with Purple Bull.
“But when Purple Bull struggles in 12 months one, then it would not shock me if by race three Max has already signed with anyone else,” he stated.
“If I used to be Max, I’d go to Aston. Mercedes can be cool too, however Aston can be the logical alternative having Adrian and Honda. Every thing he has received with is there.”
