Verstappen signs new Red Bull deal as Aston Martin attracts major investment

Media day at the Dutch Grand Prix delivered major headlines, led by Max Verstappen putting pen to paper on a new Red Bull contract that ends months of speculation about his future. Away from the track, Aston Martin announced a significant ownership change by selling a minority stake to billionaire Robert Wood Johnson, while the driver market continued to take shape with 10 seats now confirmed for 2027.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's decision to commit to Red Bull removes the biggest question mark hanging over the driver market and solidifies the team's long-term foundation around its star driver. Meanwhile, Aston Martin's fresh investment signals serious commercial ambition as the Silverstone-based squad pushes to bridge the gap to the front of the grid.

The details:

• Verstappen Stays: The four-time world champion has signed a new deal with Red Bull, shutting the door on a potential move to Mercedes and ending years of rumors linking him with other top seats.
• Aston Martin Sale: Robert Wood Johnson, heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune and owner of the New York Jets, has acquired a minority stake in the Aston Martin F1 team, adding significant American investment to Lawrence Stroll's project.
• Driver Market Moves: The 2027 grid is shaping up quickly with half the field already locked in, though Kimi Antonelli confirmed he will take a grid penalty at Monza to manage power unit components.
• Mercedes Reacts: George Russell insisted his Mercedes seat never felt threatened by Verstappen's potential availability, while Lewis Hamilton downplayed the impact of the Dutchman's Red Bull extension on his overall F1 legacy.

What's next:

With Verstappen's future settled and Aston Martin bolstered by new backing, attention now turns fully to on-track performance at Zandvoort. The driver silly season will continue simmering in the background, but the biggest domino has officially fallen.