Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has offered his own colorful perspective on the $1 billion price tag Aston Martin is allegedly willing to slap on Max Verstappen to lure him away from Red Bull.
The rumor mill continues to churn in the wake of a story published last month by the Daily Mail that claimed that Team Silverstone had launched a staggering bid for Verstappen’s services.
While Aston Martin categorically denied the gossip, respected F1 journalist Mark Hughes reported that talks between Lawrence Stroll’s outfit and the Verstappen camp were, at the very least, ongoing.
“A billion is a big number. Even if Max finishes last, he should go for a billion,” Steiner told F1 website GPblog, undoubtedly picturing Verstappen cruising around among the laggards while laughing all the way to the bank.
A Deal Too Ridiculous to Be Real?
Steiner, never one to hold back, thinks the billion-dollar price tag is straight out of a Hollywood script.
“The billion? It’s a little bit putting it high because that would set the record, which will never be broken again,” he said.
“That’s a bit fictional, but I’m sure Aston Martin will pay a good amount of money for him.”
Translation? Lawrence Stroll is rich, but let’s not get carried away.
That said, if there’s anyone in the paddock who would write an astronomical check to secure Verstappen, it’s Stroll.
The Aston Martin owner has a track record of aggressive moves – snagging Fernando Alonso, building a state-of-the-art factory, and luring Adrian Newey to Silverstone Park.
Would he really balk at spending an absurd amount of money to land Verstappen?
Who Would Make Way—Alonso or Stroll?
Of course, there’s the small matter of actually having a seat available. Alonso is under contract until 2026, and Lance Stroll, well… his contract situation is best described as “indefinite” considering his father owns the team.
Steiner doesn’t see either driver making way anytime soon.
“I don’t think Fernando will go, and I don’t think they replace Lance,” he stated, effectively ruling out a Verstappen-Aston Martin move until at least 2027.
©AstonMartin
Pressed on whether Stroll Jr. could find himself ousted to make room for the Dutch superstar, Steiner had a classic response.
“Lawrence is for sure not stupid,” quipped the Italian. “You can call him everything else but stupid. But blood is thicker than water.”
In other words, if Verstappen wants to wear green, he might have to wait until Alonso decides to retire… or until Lawrence Stroll decides a billion-dollar driver is worth shaking up the family dynamic.
Red Bull’s Reality Check
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko is all too aware that keeping Verstappen happy isn’t just about throwing money at him – it’s about giving him the fastest car on the grid.
“We have to provide him with a car with which he is able to win under his own steam,” Marko told F1-Insider.
“It can be one to two tenths of a second slower than others, but unlike last year’s car, it has to be competitive throughout the season and on every track.
“If we don’t succeed, there is no reason for Max to stay with us. You have to be realistic about that.”
Aston Martin may not actually be offering a billion dollars, but if Red Bull drops the ball, Verstappen’s future could still be up for grabs.
Whether that’s in a Newey-designed Aston Martin, a revamped Mercedes, or just another Red Bull championship contender remains to be seen.
One thing’s for sure – if anyone ever does throw a billion at Verstappen, Steiner’s advice stands: take the money and run!
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