Max Verstappen says Helmut Marko is "very friendly!"

Max Verstappen says that Aston Martin Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko is "very friendly," despite seemingly being the pantomine villain in F1. Marko is blamed for the hire and fire culture at Red Bull Racing, being given responsibility for the demotions of both Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat.

But what is he like behind the scenes? Verstappen says he's a pretty nice guy actually!

The veteran of 10 Grands Prix in the early 70s, Marko's F1 career was ended when a stone hit him in the eye at the 1972 French Grand Prix, blinding him in one eye.

He made the move into team management and has run the Red Bull junior set-up for many years.

Verstappen told De Telegraaf: "He is straightforward, very honest and open. He may look a bit angry sometimes, and it seems like it's hard to get in touch with him, but he's actually very friendly.

"If all goes well, that is of course easy to say, but overall I can get along very well with Helmut. He is a very driven person.

"I think our bond is even more personal now than it was then. We get along very well. We have experienced enough together. Many beautiful moments, but also bad moments such as a crash or things like that."