Helmut Marko issues Max Verstappen warning over joining Adrian Newey at Aston Martin:
- Helmut Marko has warned that Red Bull could lose Max Verstappen to Aston Martin following Adrian Newey's move, which could create an "upward trend" for the team. Marko acknowledged the possibility of Verstappen leaving but also had a warning for the driver.
- Newey, Red Bull's long-time design guru, will join Aston Martin in March 2025 as Managing Technical Partner and shareholder. His role will be to oversee the design of Aston Martin's 2026 car, but his influence may extend to the 2025 car as well.
- Aston Martin beat Ferrari, Alpine, Mercedes, and Williams to secure Newey’s services, offering him “total control and responsibility,” similar to that of a team principal. Mike Krack, Aston Martin’s team boss, has stated that "the door for Max Verstappen is always open."
- Helmut Marko commented:
"Max drives where he can win. Aston Martin has the most modern factory, the wind tunnel will be operational next year and Honda engines will be added to that. Everything fits."
- Marko also noted Newey’s influence on past teams:
"Wherever Newey has gone, there has been an upward trend. I don’t know why it should be any different at Aston Martin."
- Marko acknowledged that Newey’s impact might take time:
"Adrian Newey cannot start until March 1, 2025, which is already relatively late. The whole team at Aston Martin certainly needs to get used to each other first."
- Marko stressed the importance of Red Bull continuing to provide Verstappen with a championship-winning car:
"He knows that he can win titles with us too if we can get through this World Championship now. That is also an absolute must."
- Verstappen addressed the speculation in Baku, stating his focus remains on Red Bull:
"I have other worries at the moment, that I’m paying a lot of attention to, that I’m working on. So that is something maybe for the future that I think about but not now.
VIA: [PLANET F1:
https://www.planetf1.com/news/helmut-marko-max-verstappen-warning-joining-adrian-newey-aston-martin]