Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has advised Aston Martin to go ‘all out’ for Max Verstappen with backing from Saudi Arabia. Verstappen’s future with Red Bull is up in the air after a difficult start to the year, despite the two parties having a valid long-term deal until the end of the 2028 season.

Verstappen’s stance is clear. The 27-year-old is in F1 to fight for World Championships, rather than podiums or top-five finishes. Unlike Charles Leclerc at Ferrari and George Russell at Mercedes, he does not want to lead a long-term rebuild project - he wants immediate success.

Oscar Piastri took victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to move into the lead of the Formula 1 drivers’ championship. The McLaren man sealed his third win of the season, going back to back after taking the chequered flag in Bahrain last week as he benefitted from an early penalty against polesitter Max Verstappen.