Marko: 'That's a completely different league for Verstappen'

For the first time since 2013, Red Bull Racing is seriously competing in the World Championship again. In both the drivers' field, with a 19-point lead, and the constructors' field, with a one-point deficit, anything is still possible.

Crown on Verstappens career

Helmut Marko, the man who brought Verstappen to Red Bull as a teenager, anticipates in an interview with RTL already anticipating a world title for the Dutchman. "We signed Max when he was fifteen years old. We've come a long way together. It would be both the crowning achievement of his career and the culmination of what he has built up together with his father. For Red Bull, after the four world titles with Vettel, it's a very different playing field he'll find himself in."

Red Bull has the better package

With Brazil, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, there are still four races to go this season. "It's about an incredible amount of points and one failure and the minimal lead is already gone," Marko nevertheless remains realistic. It will remain incredibly exciting between Verstappen and rival Lewis Hamilton. "It is a duel at eye level between two absolutely exceptional drivers. Sometimes Mercedes has the advantage, but in general I think we have the better package with Max and the Red Bull."

In Brazil and Qatar, too, it could go either way, according to Marko. "Both circuits have very long straights, which works to Mercedes' advantage, but we go well in temperatures above thirty degrees. What we don't know is the condition of the asphalt. I would say it is neutral terrain. Whoever finds his way the fastest is ahead," Marko said.

Perez better second man than Bottas

Sergio Perez, Verstappen's teammate, has been doing good business for his team over the last few races. "Perez is the stronger second man, he has been on the podium every race since Turkey. In the race [in Mexico] you saw that he was incredibly strong, especially in the second half." Bottas, according to Marko, is doing a lot less. "Bottas has his days when he is almost unbeatable, but then he has downward swings again, I hope it stays that way."