Aston Martin has firmly dismissed sensational claims that owner Lawrence Stroll is willing to spend $1 billion to lure Max Verstappen to the team.
According to Britain's Daily Mail, Aston Martin managing director Jefferson Slack allegedly suggested that Verstappen was set to join the Silverstone-based team.
The move would reunite the four-time world champion with legendary aerodynamicist Adrian Newey, who is set to start working with Aston Martin in March.
Over the off-season, Aston Martin also promoted Andy Cowell, a highly regarded former Mercedes engineer, to replace Mike Krack as team boss.
When questioned about the Verstappen speculation, an Aston Martin spokesperson said he "categorically denies" the claims.
Verstappen's management acknowledged the reports but declined to comment further.
Despite substantial financial backing from Stroll, Aston Martin struggled with their 2024 car's development. "We certainly won the world championship for the most updates," said Cowell, "but they did not produce improvements in lap times."
Verstappen's future with Red Bull remains uncertain beyond 2025. However, the Dutchman appears enthusiastic about Red Bull's latest signing: Jurgen Klopp, who has joined the brand as its head of soccer programs.
"I think the two of them have a lot to say to each other and a lot of questions for each other," Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko told Sport1.
"What they both certainly have in common is that neither of them lets themselves be manipulated and is known and popular for clear and direct words.
"We are now trying to organise the meeting as soon as possible," he added.
"Max is a big football fan, and he asked me to invite Klopp to a race. One of Max's best friends is Virgil van Dijk, the captain of the Dutch national team and one of Klopp's key players during his time at Liverpool FC," said Marko.
"That's the beauty of Red Bull – our extensive sports programs at the highest level allow us to create synergies and bring these figures together."
Meanwhile, Verstappen dismissed suggestions that his nearing limit on super license penalty points might force him to adopt a more cautious approach in 2024.
"I won't change my driving style because of that," he told the Swiss newspaper Blick.
"I already know when I go too far, like in Abu Dhabi when I attacked (Oscar) Piastri at the start. I had no problem apologising to him after that," Verstappen concluded.
