Aston Martin targets wins; McLaren dismisses Verstappen switch, say ex‑drivers

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard said Aston Martin, which has struggled in the first half of the 2026 season, could become a race‑winning team within two years. He pointed to a recent package of upgrades introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix and an upcoming new Honda power‑unit specification for the Dutch round as signs of improvement, noting the influence of chief designer Adrian Newey.

In a separate discussion, former champion Mika Häkkinen rejected rumours that Max Verstappen might move to McLaren. Häkkinen argued that McLaren should maintain its current driver lineup and team harmony, and said Verstappen is likely to honour his contract with Red Bull rather than switch teams.