Max Verstappen lifting his fourth consecutive world title trophy. (Image: Getty)
chief Lawrence Stroll could face an awkward decision if his team follows through with a mega-money bid for . Speculation is rife that the British-based team are set to make an incredible £1billion offer to the driver, who has just sealed his fourth consecutive world title.
But his future with his current team remains in doubt amid turmoil behind the scenes, with team principal seemingly at odds with Helmut Marko.
’s superiority in pace also dwindled in the latter part of 2024, with claiming the constructors’ title. Verstappen is currently contracted to the team until 2028, although is said to be waiting to see which team emerges with the fastest engines next season before deciding on his long-term future.
According to the , Stroll Snr is so confident about acquiring Verstappen that he’s instructed Jefferson Slack, the commercial director, to use the potential development to attract lucrative sponsorship deals. The deal would represent the biggest ever handed to a driver in F1.
Aston Martin have to the 27-year-old, but Stroll has made no secret of his ambition to make his team the most formidable in F1. And if a sensational move for the Dutchman does materialise, the Canadian could be forced to sack his own son to make room for him.
Both and are currently contracted to the team until the end of 2026. While Stroll Jnr, 26, represents more of a long-term prospect, he has been outperformed by his Spanish team-mate in the last two seasons.
Lawrence (left) and Lance Stroll. (Image: Getty)
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Stroll only managed six top-10 finishes last season as he laboured to 13th in the drivers’ standings. Two-time world champion Alonso meanwhile, was ninth with 70 points.
In the previous campaign, the 43-year-old finished fourth overall with Stroll 10th, and despite his age, the veteran is by far the team’s current No.1 driver. But Stroll Snr parting ways with his own son would be an incredibly difficult decision to make.
Stroll made his debut with as an 18-year-old in 2017 before switching to Racing Point—now called Aston Martin—when his father set up a consortium to save the team from financial oblivion.
Amid rumours last year that he was set to quit the sport, he signed a new deal and outlined his ambition to help his team move forward. “I’m super happy to have committed to staying with the team for 2025 and beyond,” he said.
“It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come in the last five years. We’ve grown so much as a team and there’s still so much more to look forward to.”