Patrese: Newey says Aston Martin is not ready for Verstappen

Speaking after conversations with his former Williams teammate at Goodwood, Patrese said Newey had been candid about the scale of the challenge facing Lawrence Stroll’s team, despite their well-publicised ambition and big chequebook to lure Verstappen away from Red Bull.

Patrese told RacingTipster: “I spoke with Adrian at Goodwood, and he feels that next year they won’t be ready and not raise expectations. If they come out and they are ready, it looks better for him! But he seemed honest when he said they would not be ready to go for the Championship.

“He also said we are not ready to get Verstappen next year because he doesn’t think they can provide him with a winning car. This is what he says. Then we will see what will come out. He knows how strong Verstappen is, and if the car has the potential to win the championship, Verstappen can definitely be a choice for Aston Martin.”

With Verstappen having committed to another year at Red Bull, Patrese suggested his future beyond 2026 will be dictated by who adapts best to the new power unit rules. “Verstappen is thinking this way. Next year you don’t really know who will have the advantage of the new power unit. It is better for him to wait to see where the best option is for 2027.

“Probably Mercedes has a very good power unit and he’s always had a very good connection with Toto Wolff, being on his boat for example! Any team would want Max because he’s the driver that can make the difference at the moment.

"He’s one of those drivers that even with a car that is not the best car, and Red Bull this year is not the best car, he can win races, and he can make the difference," said the 71-year-old Italian.

Patrese also reflected on the abrupt exit of Christian Horner from Red Bull earlier this year and whether the former team boss could resurface at Aston Martin: “I think he’s relaxing while riding horses! I’m happy for him that he can find a little bit of peace because of course he had all this gossip going around last year."

Patrese continued: “I think a private life should stay a little bit away from the sport. All their problems started with the gossip. He was treated not very nicely, probably because he was fired in 24 hours. Anyone who gets him has a good person to manage the team because I think he proved with Red Bull that he’s capable. I don’t know who could have him.

Patrese ventured: "The problem is if Max is there. The Verstappen family are one of the reasons Horner is not at Red Bull. With Adrian, there’s no problem. If Verstappen doesn’t go there, why not?”

Patrese suggested Aston Martin’s current line-up may not be sustainable if the team emerges as a true title contender in 2027: “Alonso is good, but he has his age. But I believe that he looks in very good shape.

"If he has the right motivation because he has a winning car, he can be there fighting. Stroll, I don’t know. Sometimes he had promising results, but nothing special. But he’s the son of the owner of the team.

“Let’s say that they stay next year and we will see how good they are. And then they can see how good the drivers are. And if there is a possibility that they can win in 2027 maybe they have to look at least one replacement with a very top high-level driver," explained Patrese, a six-time Grand Prix winner.