For Helmut Marko, there are currently only two drivers in Formula 1 who are “halfway” approaching the level of world champion Max Verstappen: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and record champion Lewis Hamilton.
Leclerc was “very strong” in qualifying, but “prone to make mistakes” compared to Verstappen, said Marko in an interview with RTL / ntv.
He sees Mercedes star Hamilton in 2023 as a “stronger challenger” for Verstappen. “Hamilton has a clear advantage in terms of experience, can motivate himself incredibly and I’m also convinced that Mercedes will put up a better car next year,” said the Red Bull consultant.
However, Verstappen has not yet reached its zenith, but will become even stronger, believes Marko. “He drives more confidently than ever, with more overview, at the same time he has developed into a tire whisperer. For example, he drives longer on a soft tire than the competition on a harder compound,” the Austrian praised his protégé.
For Verstappen there seems to be “no limit”. “He gets in the car, is so confident from the first practice session, from the first lap. You can see that when it’s wet, in the first laps he’s two seconds faster than the rest of the field, they have to first grope everyone.”
“More Verstappen flights possible”
Verstappen needs a car “that has very good grip on the front axle,” explained Marko and teased the rest of the drivers: “What the rear is doing doesn’t affect him that much, only the other drivers are nervous.” If Red Bull succeeds in providing the defending champion again in 2023 “the necessary material, the necessary car, I think further flights of fancy are possible.”
Verstappen has already won 14 Grands Prix in 2022, with the triumph in Mexico breaking the record set by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel for most wins in one season. The 25-year-old Dutchman has been world champion since the Japanese GP.
Ferrari in Brazil fiercest Red Bull rival
For the upcoming race in Brazil (November 13/LIVE on RTL), Marko sees Ferrari “as our first challenger”. He expects the Scuderia to “remedy” their weakness in Mexico. In Mexico City, Ferrari “had to reduce performance due to turbo problems,” the chief of the “bulls” pointed out.
Ferrari’s weakness and the reduced air resistance at Mexico’s altitude would have played into Mercedes’ hands. The Silver Arrows have “clearly gotten better – especially in qualifying”, Marko acknowledged the progress of the arch-rival.
However, Mercedes usually still start too far back to be a real contender for victory in the race.
Martin Armbruster