2025 Aston Martin | Aramco F1 Team

[peewon]

'dubious'? There is no situation in which this can be real. I don't know who put out such a rumor but they are not serious.

As someone with first hand knowledge with celebrity sales pitches, that number is just an eye catching potential earnings for Max and not necessarily even that unrealistic without knowing the timeline. If its over 10 years, its not impossible considering his earnings are already in the $80-90m/yr range as per most public information. If AM made a recruitment pitch to Max, this is how they would've presented it to him apart from all the other attractions. It would include everything from salary to endorsements, etc.

Max would leave Red Bull before or after 2026 unless there's a significant shift in team performance. Same for Alonso, he will leave before the 2026 season's finish if the car is not performing.

As per earrings numbers are "secondary" for him as he will likely earn a similar amount, whether at Aston or Mercedes.

What will dictate VER's move are two main factors: first, his motivation. He has expressed multiple times that he may leave in order to spend more time with his family. Second, he will want to have a car that can fight for the title. There are growing rumors that Mercedes AMG HP powertrains are a step ahead, and Red Bull-Ford powertrains are struggling, which could push him to leave Red Bull earlier than 2028.

Over time, I believe Zak Brown has tried to assist Mercedes, as green lights are indicating Max could move to Aston over Mercedes.

Yes, Im aware of the '26 rumors as well and do think Max could leave. AM will pitch to Max that his earnings with them could be higher than Mercedes due to more lucrative partners in Aramco and even Honda. Thats just how companies make pitches whether they are accurate or not. Ultimately I dont think Max is the type to care whether he makes $10-15m less per year. He will make his decision based on competitiveness.

[peewon]

'dubious'? There is no situation in which this can be real. I don't know who put out such a rumor but they are not serious.

As someone with first hand knowledge with celebrity sales pitches, that number is just an eye catching potential earnings for Max and not necessarily even that unrealistic without knowing the timeline. If its over 10 years, its not impossible considering his earnings are already in the $80-90m/yr range as per most public information. If AM made a recruitment pitch to Max, this is how they would've presented it to him apart from all the other attractions. It would include everything from salary to endorsements, etc.

Salary that he makes in RB is huge but only because of the titles he won there and the bonuses that come with it. With Max, there are no guarantees that he will be as fast as he is now in a car with different characteristics. I would say that big teams would be willing to pay him $45-55mil max at the moment.

I think if you did an anonymous poll of the paddock, Max would be the consensus best driver. Even if his base salary is around $50m, he could easily earn 50m more in bonuses and endorsements. RB pays him $20-25m in bonuses for championship seasons. If Aramco takes a more controlling stake in the team it could bring in extra cash and sponsorship avenues like 'visit Saudi'. They are building an entire city around a new F1 track in Qiddiya, planned to be completed by 2027. Thats easily worth an extra $20-30m to promote.

[-wkst-]

Same for Alonso, he will leave before the 2026 season's finish if the car is not performing.

He won't. Even in the painful 2018 season he drove until the end, because in the end millions of Euros/Pounds/Dollars are a good motivation...

Regarding the salary of VER it is clear that Mercedes won't pay astronomical numbers, because the german car manufacturers are not in the best shape. Mercedes is planning big job cuts in the next years, an astronomical salary for VER is not possible for Källenius to justify.

[RonMexico]

'dubious'? There is no situation in which this can be real. I don't know who put out such a rumor but they are not serious.

As someone with first hand knowledge with celebrity sales pitches, that number is just an eye catching potential earnings for Max and not necessarily even that unrealistic without knowing the timeline. If its over 10 years, its not impossible considering his earnings are already in the $80-90m/yr range as per most public information. If AM made a recruitment pitch to Max, this is how they would've presented it to him apart from all the other attractions. It would include everything from salary to endorsements, etc.

Salary that he makes in RB is huge but only because of the titles he won there and the bonuses that come with it. With Max, there are no guarantees that he will be as fast as he is now in a car with different characteristics. I would say that big teams would be willing to pay him $45-55mil max at the moment.

Ferrari are paying a former champion in decline that much. I think the number is much, much bigger if he tested the water.

[zoroastar]

a billion is like a million was 20 or 30 years ago. its a big number, but not out of the realm of possibilty as an average over a long contract, all bonuses included. i could see them using that number to get attention, but the actual yearly guarantee being just 70 or 80 million. but nowhere in the contract would it say anything about a billion dollars. max will go where he feels he has the best chance to win championships in the next 2 years. merc will dish out quite a bit, and give him everything they possibly could to sweeten the pot, unless russell kills it this year. hes off to a pretty good start. alonso will drive through 26 regardless and if they are close, maybe hell want to try getting a contract for 2027. these 24 race seasons have to be grueling though at 44yo. he may just get sick of it finally. i hope he sticks around long enough to have a car that can fight for number 3, that would be a hell of an ending to his career. much better than the first time he retired.

[AR3-GP]

The universe is working in a very strange way.

[-wkst-]

Alonso out of FP2 after mistake. The universe is working in a very strange way...

A rookie mistake, got onto the grass.

The amount of his his mistakes is very worrying to be honest.

[Nikosar]

Alonso out of FP2 after mistake. The universe is working in a very strange way...

A rookie mistake, got onto the grass.

The amount of his his mistakes is very worrying to be honest.

Australian GP was not a driver mistake, it was the excess of gravel caused by the front drivers. China GP was DNF caused by brake issue. So where are you seeing the "amount of mistakes" ?

All top drivers had moments, they have been lucky not get stuck on grass or on gravel.

He was doing a very solid session, also FP1 was good. Hopefully not too much damage. Cautions optimism for qualy and race.

[-wkst-]

I won't open the Australian race topic again, who was at fault, or how many percent driver-circumstances. Fact is that he was warned over the radio about this corner shortly before and cooled the tyres on the straight before.

The Q2 exit in Austrlia was his mistake by damaging the floor.

[Alo_Fan]

Alonso out of FP2 after mistake. The universe is working in a very strange way...

A rookie mistake, got onto the grass.

The amount of his his mistakes is very worrying to be honest.

I agree, I was even concerned last season if one paid attention there were a few moments. I am hopeful with a better car he should be okay but it is concerning seeing the mistakes creep up especially since his biggest trait historically has been being the most consistent driver, with few mistakes.

[peewon]

It could also be that the car is a bit more on a knife edge. Maybe hes pushing too much. Definitely a trend like to see arrested.

[Alo_Fan]

It could also be that the car is a bit more on a knife edge. Maybe hes pushing too much. Definitely a trend like to see arrested.

It's definitely to do with both last years and this years car, but Stroll has been doing okay thus far this season.

[TR6]

As far as I see Alonso just went outside the track on his entry and tires went in the grass.

[SSJ4]

wonder if his eyesight has worsened. he is 43. raw pace isnt the issue. he was several tenths quicker than stroll

[Sedaxel]

If he was almost a second slower, he'd not gone out of the track, for sure... LOL