Verstappen backed to join underperforming F1 rival

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has backed Max Verstappen to join Aston Martin, resulting in a reunion with Adrian Newey. 

Aston Martin endured a miserable 2024 F1 season, which saw the British outfit fail to break the 100-point mark. 

The Silverstone-based team has fallen backwards ever since a mid-season upgrade in 2023, which ended Fernando Alonso’s run of regular podiums. 

Not one rostrum was claimed by the two-time world champion this year, whilst Lance Stroll failed to deliver yet again. 

Stroll was responsible for just 24 of Aston Martin’s 94 points in the recent campaign, yet remains with the team. 

With significant funding being ploughed into the team by his father, Lawrence Stroll, the Canadian driver is being pinned for holding Aston Martin back. 

However, Montoya believes Stroll is better than people think, whilst the Colombian has pointed at 2027 as when the outfit could be winning races with Newey designing its cars.

“I don’t think Lance is as bad as people say he is,” Montoya told Instant Casino. “He’s gotten better, but I’m not sure what’s the little bit that he’s missing or what he needs.

“I think the hard thing there is the point where Fernando will benefit from Adrian Newey’s involvement.

“If everything lines up well, Aston could be winning in ‘27 or ‘28, not before that. But by 2028, Fernando’s going to be 47/48. So, who’s going to be there? And by then, does Lance still want to race? 

How much longer Stroll will remain in F1 is a question being asked on a more regular basis, in particular, if his performances fail to improve despite a new wind tunnel, factory and having Newey.

Should Stroll depart in the near future, Montoya would not be surprised to see Verstappen arrive, which would see a reunion with Newey and Honda.

“It wouldn’t be the most surprising thing in the world if Max Verstappen joined Aston Martin, would it?” questioned Montoya. 

“Honda and Newey; they’d be pretty happy to have Max driving the car.”