Marko on 'special' Verstappen: 'He can still improve'

Helmut Marko and Red Bull Racing had to wait for it, but finally, the Austrian racing team can once again call themselves the best Formula 1 team. On a weekend when Dietrich Mateschitz died, Verstappen excelled once again. It also causes mixed feelings for Marko.

Marko took to the podium to applaud Verstappen's victory and winning the constructors' title. The Red Bull adviser did not keep it dry. Marko himself mostly emptied his champagne bottle on Lewis Hamilton. He thought the Mercedes driver had no champagne left, but that assessment was wrong. Marko then got the full scoop himself. "Lewis is more trained on the podium," he laughed.

That Verstappen still managed to win in the end in Austin deeply impressed Marko. "He is so special. After this pitstop, going so on the limit, but not ruining his tyres. In the end, Lewis was sliding more than him. That shows how much mature he is between this year and last year. That is why we believe it is not the end from what we have seen from Max. There is still something to come."

Marko did not expect things to go so quickly with Mateschitz. The Austrian had spoken to his compatriot by phone just last week and Mateschitz's voice still sounded powerful then. The two were due to meet after the Mexican Grand Prix, but Mateschitz eventually passed away on Saturday. "It's hard to cope," he said.