Verstappen discusses his most embarrassing moment in Formula 1

Helmut Marko is a special character in the paddock and all Red Bull drivers have a lot of stories about him. Max Verstappen may have built the best relationship with the Austrian after Sebastian Vettel and now knows how to deal with his boss, including after his most embarrassing moment in Formula 1.

In conversation with Antonio Felix da Costa (a former Red Bull junior) he gives an example of this. At the United States Grand Prix in 2016, the Red Bull Racing driver thought he had to come in for a pit stop, when that wasn't the case at all. Verstappen calls it his most embarrassing moment in Formula 1.

Important for Helmut Marko to admit mistakes

There he did learn how to best deal with Helmut Marko in case of such a mistake. "After the race Helmut was very angry and I couldn't say anything but well, I messed up. I thought you called me in. What else can you say, you can't hide it."

"You just have to admit you made a mistake. He appreciates that, because he hates it when people try to give an excuse for being slow or making a mistake."

Da Costa recognizes this and thinks this is one of the best qualities of his former mentor. With Marko, you know exactly where you stand. "That's why I love Helmut, if you do it right he'll be the first to tell you, but if you make a mistake he'll also be the first to tell you."