Verstappen jokingly contradicts Marko: 'Helmut's not in the car!'
Co-author:Kada Sárközi
Marnik Kok caught the Formula 1 world around twenty years ago. A deep passion for motorsport, Ferrari, and a background in journalism led him to contribute to various (international) F1 platforms. Since 2020, Marnik has been active as an editor and journalist in the pinnacle of motorsport for several media outlets, including De Telegraaf. As of 2025, he brings that experience to GPblog as a seasoned editor.
During his active years as a journalist — now working as a freelancer — Marnik attended numerous events, with the Dutch Grand Prix standing out as one of the highlights. In addition to his work at GPblog, Marnik is also active in the communications sector at a major national provider and steps in wherever needed. Sitting still is not an option — especially not in motorsport!
Max Verstappen finished in P4 in qualifying for the Belgian GP. McLaren dominates, but Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is not ready to admit that yet. Verstappen has a good answer to that at Spa-Francorchamps.
After finished in P2 in Sprint Qualifying, the Dutchman will begin Sunday's Grand Prix from the second row of the Friday. After his first run, Verstappen was in third place, however, he had wheel spin exiting Turn 1, leading him to finish fourth behind also Charles Leclerc.
Talking to GPblog among others, Verstappen says there was not much more in it. "P3 was the highest achievable."
"Nothing changed in the first run and it just didn't go well. Something did change in the second run," the four-time world champion explained.
Verstappen: 'Marko is not in the car'
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According to the team's top advrisor, Helmut Marko, there is still hope for the drivers' championship. Verstappen finds it amusing. "Helmut is not in the car. No," causing laughter during the press moment.
"Well, I understand that you have to be positive", the Dutchman continued in more seriously.
"But I am always realistic about what I feel in the car. And when I look at certain onboards of other cars, I don’t know..."
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