It is no longer surprising to hear or read the name of Saudi Arabia linked to multimillion-dollar figures in the world of sports. In recent years the soccer league of that country grew exponentially from the figure of Cristiano Ronaldo, while in golf they took John Ram, current champion of the Augusta Masters, from the PGA to the LIV, a professional circuit founded in 2022 with the sponsorship of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Arabia. And in tennis, the ATP agreement with the PIF is now official, which is the sponsor of the ranking that it currently leads. Novak Djokovic.
Now Arab money also wants to reach the Formula 1 -where they already did business with Frank Williams in the late 70s-. According to different journalistic versions, The Saudis have the idea of buying the Aston Martin team, which today is property of Lawrence Stroll (group director Aston Martin Ltd.) and has the experienced Spanish Fernando Alonso and to the Canadian Lance Stroll at the wheel.
The intention is to hire Max Verstappenthree-time champion of the highest category of motorsports, and create around him a Dream Team which includes British engineer Adrian Newey, also from Red Bull. They see it as a possibility to take advantage of the scandal surrounding Christian Horner, director of the Austrian team.
However, The Dutch pilot emphatically denied the rumors. “This is like my second family,” he said in advance of the Australian Grand Prix in which he will seek his tenth victory in a row and the third in a row this season. “I will continue until the end”, added who has a contract until 2028 with Red Bull.
The three-time world champion cleared up the doubts with the same speed with which he sets the pace on the track: “I only think about getting on my machine and winning.” He won the first two races of the year in Bahrain and, precisely, in Saudi Arabia and is a candidate to take his fourth title in a row, which only Michael Schumacher (5 times between 2000 and 2004), Lewis Hamilton (2017-2020), Sebastian Vettel (2010-2013) and Juan Manuel Fangio (1954-1957).
Verstappen has won 19 of the last 22 F1 races. Photo: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP
“I don’t know what the clauses of Max’s contract are, but I do know that he is completely involved here and it would be a sin for him to leave,” he claimed Sergio “Checo” Pérez, His teammate, who finished second in both Grands Prix and with 36 points, is 15 behind Verstappen overall and 23 ahead of Charles Leclerc (28).
Saudi Arabia’s contact with Aston Martin is nothing new, since it acts as the main sponsor of the team based in Silverstone, England, through Aramco, the company that exploits Saudi oil, gas and petrochemical products. It would be one of the most important businesses at a sporting level, some billion pounds sterling.
According to the specialized site motorpasion.com, in 2026 the Formula 1 engine regulations will change. “New, more simplified engines will come into force” and Aston Martin has already reached an engine agreement with Honda, which as a brand with recent experience In the category it is expected to be one of those that has an advantage over Audi and Ford, which will be new entrants.
While, Ferrariwhich from 2025 will have Lewis Hamilton, He also tries to seduce some of the Red Bull engineers and competes with the Arabs, although they are not going to beat him for money.
Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso, the Aston Martin drivers. Photo: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP
Fernando Alonso, 42, could be the one who pays with his departure if the agreement is finalized and there he would have to decide if he looks for a new team or if he retires permanently from Formula 1.
2024-03-22 09:01:21
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