Max Verstappen's management has brushed off speculation that Aston Martin is prepared to offer a staggering $1 billion to lure the quadruple world champion from Red Bull.
Rumours have circulated that Adrian Newey, Aston Martin's new recruit, envisions pairing Verstappen with Fernando Alonso for 2026 as the perfect driver lineup.
However, Aston Martin has categorically denied the claims.
Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko, while acknowledging Verstappen's loyalty, admitted the team must deliver a competitive car to keep the Dutchman onboard.
"We have to give him a car with which he is able to win on his own," Marko told Sport1. "It can be one to two tenths of a second slower than the others, but unlike our car last year, it has to be competitive over the whole season and on every track.
"If we don't succeed in doing that," Marko warned, "there's no reason for Max to stay with us. We have to be realistic about that."
In response to the $1 billion rumour, Verstappen's management issued a lighthearted remark: "It would be nice, but we haven't received that offer yet."
Meanwhile, some speculate Verstappen may even retire from Formula 1 after 2025, particularly given the FIA's newly intensified penalties for driver "misconduct."
Under the updated regulations, violations could result in six-figure fines, race bans, and even points deductions.
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf commented: "Early retirement for Max Verstappen has just become even more realistic."
Before the details of the FIA's clampdown emerged, Verstappen expressed frustration with the way drivers are treated.
"That is something I don't like about Formula 1," he told Viaplay.
"When we as Formula 1 drivers are punished as a little toddler, I think 'What are we doing in this sport?'"
Verstappen also pushed back against concerns raised by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who said he worried about drivers' language after his young son picked up swearing.
"When I was 5, my parents didn't use swear words towards me of course, but what do you think I heard at school?" Verstappen responded.
The Alex Wurz-led Grand Prix Drivers' Association declined to comment on the FIA's new guidelines.
However, a spokesman for the governing body insisted the rules will be applied fairly.
"We guarantee that the sanctions will be applied in a uniform and transparent way," the official told Corriere della Sera.
"The stewards have the authority to decide what sanction to apply in the event of a violation of the sporting code. Furthermore, all the main governing bodies have similar rules to protect the integrity of their sport."
