Marko won't name front-runner: 'But no one can threaten Max'

Helmut Marko is pleased with Max Verstappen's lead in the World Championship. According to the Red Bull Racing advisor, it is amazing how the team manages to build a good car again after last year's title battle with Mercedes, he told Viaplay.

"We managed to make the best car again this year," Marko proudly states, who also comes with a critical point. "The only downside is that we had reliability problems at the beginning of the season."

Marko lyrical about Verstappen performance

Despite a couple of scrapes for Verstappen and Sergio Perez, the Dutchman tops the leaderboard with a 38-point lead over rival Charles Leclerc. This makes the reigning world champion the title favourite for this calendar year.

Marko sees that Verstappen has made a positive change when looking at his behaviour on the track. "He has definitely become much calmer. He can handle the tyres better. He doesn't feel like he has to win at all costs anymore."

Although he does not want to designate Verstappen as the first driver, he sees that practice forces him to do so. "In principle we don't have a first driver, but it's also true that there is no one who can threaten Max when it comes to the whole season. It is the same now. Perez has fortunately become stronger though."