World champion Max Verstappen. BackpagePix
Image: Backpagepix
Racers should race and commentators should commentate. That’s the gist of the response Max Verstappen issued to the media this week amid rumours that he is pondering a move to Aston Martin.
The four-time World Champion was asked if he’s thinking about moving to Aston Martin.
"No, I think (you) just focus on commentating, I'll focus on driving and then you don't need to think about any other scenarios,” Verstappen replied.
It’s no secret the 27-year-old Dutch-Belgian driver is currently unhappy with the car Red Bull have given him as he chases a fifth straight title.
From poor tyre degradation to improper balance, the RB21 has been off the mark from the start of the season.
Pressure mounted on Christian Horner's team tenfold after Verstappen’s P6 finish in Bahrain last Sunday, putting a spanner in the works for his title hopes.
It's not clear yet whether Verstappen will move to Aston Martin, but given their recent signing frenzy, in which they scooped up F1’s hottest talent including Adrian Newey, Andy Cowell and Enrique Cardile, one can only assume they are assembling a title winning team.
Newey is arguably the sport's greatest car builder with Cowell the former brains behind Mercedes twin turbo phase and Cardile being Ferrari’s former designer.
The only thing missing is a driver.
Speculation indicates Verstappen was offered a ridiculous package to the tune of £1 billion to move over to Aston Martin.
Their current drivers are Aston Martin boss Lawrence Stroll’s son Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso, who also thwarted rumours of Verstappen’s transfer, calling the move unlikely.
“I don’t think so. I have a contract for next year, but I see the rumours,” Alonso said.
"Very good for the team, as you said before, the World Champion is sometimes linked with some other teams in a possible departure from Red Bull, and the teams that they are commenting on are Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Ferrari."
Alono was asked if he would be welcoming to the four-time World Champions should he arrive to which he replied: “Yes, but that’s unlikely to happen. Very unlikely.”
If Verstappen and Alonso do team up at Aston Martin, it would mean daddy will have to kick Lance out of his seat to make way for a title winning driver.
All the money in the world cannot seem to buy Lance Stroll an F1 victory and it would make sense that Aston Martin keeps Alonso rather than him.
