Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko have a strong loyalty (Image: Getty)
has predicted that will win the 2025 Drivers’ Championship title, making him a five-time world champion. The advisor also has no concerns about a potential departure to despite reported interest.
Verstappen clinched his fourth Drivers’ Championship title with two races to spare in 2024, but those statistics don’t tell the full story. The Dutchman won just two of the final 14 Grands Prix as and soared past in the performance pecking order and the Constructors’ Championship standings.
If the Milton Keynes squad fail to turn the ship around in 2025, Verstappen may be tempted to look outside of for his best chance of winning more F1 titles. With Aston Martin and both heavily linked, the reigning world champion won’t be short of offers.
Despite the rumours, Marko is not concerned. Speaking to Sport Bild about the Dutchman’s terms, he said: “I don’t comment on the content of the contract, but in any case, we are confident that we can provide Max with a good car. Our engineers have made good progress with the data. We are optimistic.”
He went on to address the interest from outside. “That’s all well and good, but Max has a contract with us until the end of 2028,” Marko continued. “Especially because I know how loyal and grateful he is to . That is why he will also be a driver in 2026 and as a five-time world champion.”
Despite Marko’s optimism and Verstappen’s pedigree, his prediction is a bold one. and will both be formidable competitors, and the presence of a rookie team-mate in Liam Lawson will only make his job tougher.
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Christian Horner also believes in Verstappen’s loyalty (Image: Getty)
Marko’s sentiment was echoed by team principal , who believes that his star driver is fully committed to the project. “Max has always been crystal clear with the team,” he told Motorsport.com.
“His commitment has been unwavering. He enjoys the people that he trusts and the people that he works with and enjoys very much being a part of this team. Of course, with the talent that he has, I’m sure he’s on every team principal’s Christmas wish list.
“That’s inevitable. But, as long as we can continue to provide him with a competitive car and an environment that he enjoys racing in, I don’t see any desire for him to be anywhere else.”
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If Aston Martin want to lure the four-time world champion to Silverstone, they will need to offer more than a reunion with Adrian Newey and a significant sum of cash.
Lawrence Stroll’s outfit ended 2024 as the best in the midfield in points, but their performance has been heading in the wrong direction for nearly two years with a string of upgrades proving ineffective or even detrimental.