Marko contradicts Verstappen: "I don't see it that way"

Max Verstappen experienced an unfortunate start to the new season. The reigning world champion crashed out in two of the first three Grands Prix due to technical problems, leaving him now well behind Charles Leclerc. Helmut Marko, however, expects that there will still be plenty of chances to get back into the title race, he told in an interview with F1insider.com.

Whereas last season the Dutchman fought with Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton until the last race in Abu Dhabi, prior to the current season it was revealed that Ferrari would be Red Bull Racing's direct competitor. However, the Austrian racing stable could not prevent Verstappen from dropping out twice.

In the days after the GP of Australia, in which he had to drop out just before the fortieth lap, he reacted cynically on several occasions to his chances for another world title in 2022. Marko, however, does not want to get too carried away by the discontented feeling and insists on rapid improvements at Red Bull

"I don't see it that way. The two defects we had were of different nature. Together with our engine partner, we are working tirelessly to prevent this from happening again. But basically two failures in three races are an absolute no-go," said Marko, who still thinks the world title is realistic. "I told him that we still have 20 races left with over 500 points up for grabs with sprint races and fastest laps. Nothing is lost there."