Max Verstappen smiles after Baku GP win. Photo: RacePictures

Is Verstappen back in the fight? Marko doesn't rule it out!

19:24, 21 Sep

Updated: 21:38, 21 Sep

byNorberto Mujica

Helmut Marko believes Max Verstappen's comeback title charge may indeed be in the making, but would rather wait and see how it goes at the Singapore Grand Prix before making any championship fight claims.

Red Bull celebrates Baku win. Photo: RacePictures.

"Now comes Singapore, where we have not had any positive experiences so far. That's the only race Max didn't win. Let's see how it looks there."

Marko complimented the whole of the Red Bull Racing team's execution in Azerbaijan, including of course, a 'sovereign' Verstappen.

"The whole team did an excellent job," Marko said to the German branch of Sky Sports.

"It was more of a chess game than a race. We always looked at when we went in, where the competition was. The tyre choice was also decisive.

"Because we started with the hard tyre, we were able to regulate the pace. Then it was just a matter of holding the position and making sure nothing happened.

"It was sovereign from Max. He did exactly what we asked of him."

Red Bull fights for P2 and Verstappen for the title?

Red Bull are still within a chance of beating Ferrari and Mercedes out in the fight for P2 in the Constructors' Championship, Marko argues."In the constructors' standings, second place is even within reach again."

Regarding Verstappen's seemingly revived chances at the Drivers' titles, Marko remains as tight-lipped as Verstappen and Red Bull's team principal Laurent Mekies were in their own assessment.

"Now comes Singapore, where we have not had any positive experiences so far. That's the only race Max didn't win. Let's see how it looks there."

Marko then proceeded to laud Mekies - not for the first time - and the comprehensive job he's done at Red Bull, off the back of Verstappen's Baku win.

"There have been innovations that have all had a positive effect. Mekies is an excellent engineer, they not only relied on the data from the simulation, but also on the racing experience of everyone involved. As a result, our Fridays were much better," Marko concluded.

Andrea Stella, McLaren's team principal, though, was quick to claim Verstappen was back in the championship fray following Red Bull's Monza updates. Lando Norris spoke with a similar sentiment to the Italian's, urging people to stop being surprised by Red Bull being quick.

The Dutchman in two race weekends alone has cut Oscar Piastri's championship lead in the standings by 35 points.