Marko predicts Verstappen will still finish second in 2026

Helmut Marko believes Max Verstappen will still finish second in the 2026 Formula 1 championship, even though the Dutchman is currently fourth. The former Red Bull adviser linked his prediction to Verstappen having a good car again in comments to Krone.

That forecast follows a sharp reversal in form. Red Bull spent the opening three races battling Alpine, Haas and Racing Bulls rather than Mercedes, Ferrari or McLaren; Verstappen also missed the top ten on pace in Japanese qualifying. Several upgrade packages have since removed a large part of the RB22’s fundamental problems, and Verstappen has won in Sepang and Singapore.

Singapore was a particular highlight for Marko: Verstappen took sprint pole and won the sprint, then took pole for the Grand Prix and won the race. Marko called it one of the best races of Verstappen’s career.