Max Verstappen’s exceptional performance this season has solidified his status as the leading driver for Red Bull, having taken six wins from eight races and finishing second in the remaining two. While Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, started the season strongly but has seen a decline in form, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko believes that two other drivers have the potential to match Verstappen’s capabilities.
Marko, speaking to Austria’s OE24, acknowledged the performance gap between Verstappen and Perez in the same car, with Perez often being half a second slower. He attributed this difference to Verstappen’s exceptional talent and the advantage of being in the best car.
When asked about potential challengers to Verstappen, Marko mentioned Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton as drivers who could keep up with Verstappen if given the opportunity. However, he expressed doubts that anyone could surpass the strength and skill of the Dutch racer.
Marko stated, “[Fernando] Alonso and [Lewis] Hamilton could, at most, keep up with him. These three are simply the strongest, among them Max stands out again.”
With Verstappen securing Red Bull’s 100th Grand Prix victory in Canada, Marko has been part of the team’s management since their very first win in Shanghai back in 2009. Celebrating this milestone, Marko shared his joy and mentioned the pleasant flight back to Europe after the race.
Reaching the milestone of 100 wins, Marko humorously stated, “If something like that happens, you don’t run away right away, you also accept the Red Bull-picked clothes. But I changed right away and then slept wonderfully on the plane. 100 wins is a wonderful sleep aid.”
Looking ahead, as Red Bull prepares for their home race at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, Marko expressed his satisfaction in achieving the 100th victory before heading to their eponymous track. He mentioned the significance of hearing the national anthem played after a Red Bull victory for the 100th time. Marko also shared a lighthearted anecdote, recalling that during their first win in China in 2009, the organizers mistakenly played the Blue Danube Waltz instead of the Austrian national anthem.
As the season progresses, Verstappen’s dominance and the potential challenges from Alonso and Hamilton will continue to shape the narrative of the 2023 Formula 1 season.
