Marko names biggest challenger Verstappen for race: 'Had good pace'

Helmut Marko is extremely satisfied with Max Verstappen's performance. According to him, the 26-year-old Dutchman could not have done better in the Sprint Race at the Circuit of the Americas.

Marko had nothing but praise for the 2023 world champion afterwards. "Controlling, fast and at the same time economical on the tyres, that's all you can do," the 80-year-old advisor summed up Verstappen's race to German Sky. Verstappen started cautiously but was able to streak away from the grid when he moved to more than a second away from Hamilton, and thus outside of DRS. At the finish, the difference between the two rivals was more than nine seconds.

Still, Marko does not expect Hamilton or pole-sitter Charles Leclerc to be Verstappen's toughest opponent in Sunday's Grand Prix. "Norris had a good pace, so I think he will be our biggest rival tomorrow," he said. The McLaren driver will start from second place, with Hamilton right behind him in third place on the grid.

Horner on Verstappen's Saturday dominance 

Verstappen has to start from P6, and Marko thinks that is definitely where his driver can compete for the win. At Sky Sports, Horner argues that Max should be about the same as in the sprint race. "The start is important, but the beauty is that you are going to overtake here. And you know, Max managed that race very well just now. He wasn't too aggressive on the tyres and just built a gap. And at the end of the race, he was more than nine seconds ahead."

The British team boss continued: "And that in just 19 laps was a great result. It's a very strong Saturday for us. We have some work to do tomorrow because, from sixth place, there is obviously a lot to do..."