Verstappen instead of Alonso at Aston Martin F1?

Juan Pablo Montoya, former Formula 1 driver and winner of six Grands Prix, does not hesitate to share his strong opinion: it is time for Aston Martin to replace Fernando Alonso with Max Verstappen.

This statement, made in an interview with Gambling
Zoneshook the paddock and reignited speculation about the future of the double Dutch world champion.

Verstappen under contract with Red Bull, but for how long?

Although Max Verstappen is officially tied to Red Bull until 2028, there are rumors of a clause in his contract allowing him to leave the team early if certain criteria are not met.

Certainly, the situation at Red Bull does not appear to be in crisis, especially since Verstappen currently dominates the championship with six races remaining. However, contracts in F1 are meant to be broken, especially when a new opportunity presents itself.

Verstappen’s name has already been associated with several other teams, including Mercedes and Aston Martin. For Mercedes, it seemed logical, with the German brand potentially looking for a long-term successor to Lewis Hamilton. But for Aston Martin, the reasons are less obvious at first glance. So why is Montoya proposing such a bold transfer?

Aston Martin: growing ambitions

Under the leadership of Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll, the Silverstone-based team has transformed itself into a rising force in F1.

Stroll has pumped millions into infrastructure upgrades, including a new wind tunnel, state-of-the-art facilities and recruiting key talent. Among them, figures like Adrian Newey, Dan Fallows (technical director) and Tom McCullough (head of engineering), experienced men who give Aston Martin the means to rise to the top.

However, despite these massive investments, Montoya believes that a crucial element is still missing for the team to take the next step: a rider capable of maximizing the potential of this new machine. For the former McLaren driver, Max Verstappen would be it “driver who makes the difference”.

Alonso, an exceptional driver but not a long-term option

While praising Fernando Alonso’s skills, Montoya remains convinced the Spaniard is not a long-term solution for Aston Martin. At 43, Alonso continues to deliver exceptional performances, but his age remains a limiting factor for the team’s long-term ambitions.

Montoya insists Lance Stroll, son of the team’s owner, will not step down, leaving little room for another top driver in the near future.

The Colombian concludes that Verstappen’s arrival at Aston Martin would immediately propel the team among the best, thanks to the combination of his raw talent and the team’s growing strength.

“With Verstappen, it’s a long-term project,
souligne Montoya. Not only is he one of the best drivers today, but he would guarantee Aston Martin increasing value, because the more he wins, the more the team and the company will become valuable.

The idea of ​​seeing Verstappen in a green suit may still be a long way off, but Montoya is convinced it could be the masterstroke Aston Martin needs to dominate F1 in the years to come.