Marko has had enough: "Please leave me alone!"

Several Formula 1 pundits, including Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, have already all but attributed this year's world title to Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. However, team principal Christian Horner thought it was far too early for such conclusions and Helmut Marko does not want to know anything about it either.

Marko does not want to hear this question again

As far as Marko is concerned, there was nothing to criticise about Red Bull's race weekend in Japan. "There is hardly anything to criticise. Everything was perfect until the last lap. The pit stops were also incredible," said the Red Bull advisor in conversation with OE24. The Austrian F1 team was once again the fastest in the pit lane, setting the four fastest stops of the race with Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

Asked if rival teams already dare to congratulate Red Bull on the world title by now, Marko wants to know nothing of that. "Please leave me alone! We have only done four races and there are still 20 to go. In Melbourne we saw how quickly everything can turn around. Ferrari are strong and reliable, we cannot write them off yet," warned the 80-year-old Austrian.

Marko agrees with Wolff's statement

Toto Wolff seems to have already given up, stating that his team is now focusing on the battle for second place with Ferrari and McLaren. The Mercedes boss says Verstappen is unbeatable because of the rock-solid combination he forms as a driver with his RB20.

Marko couldn't agree more. "Those were always my words: We have a good car, but then again Max makes the difference. It all became clear again at Suzuka, when Max drove an incredible fastest lap on worn tyres. Not for fun, but to convey a message: Hello, the rest of you are only there to come second!"