Marko underlines what Verstappen needs to become champion in 2024
F1 News
From the dominant force in the competition, Red Bull Racing have now become the chasers in Formula One. McLaren took the lead in the constructors' championship after the Azerbaijan GP, and the British team now have a 41-point lead over the Austrians. Helmut Marko believes winning that title is not realistic, and the Austrian top advisor also explained what Max Verstappen needs to win his fourth drivers' title.
"With the performance we currently have, yes," the advisor declared to Motorsport-Total whether it's impossible to challenge for the constructors' title in the current season.
"But I am optimistic, if Max can win races again and Sergio achieves [finishing] in P3 or P4, for example, then the world will look different again," Marko added.
Red Bull to return with floor update at COTA
For Marko and also Red Bull, winning the constructors' championship is no longer the priority, as they now have their full attention on Max Verstappen securing his fourth F1 world title. "If we do that - and I think it's only possible if Max wins at least two more races - then things will look a bit better in the constructors' battle as well."
For Verstappen himself, updates to the RB20 will be necessary to challenge McLaren for winning Grands Prix. After the autumn break is over, the Austrian team are targetting to introduce a change to the floors of their car at the Circuit of the Americas. However, Marko also understands that is easier said than done. "The car has to come in a wider operating window. No more of that the temperature changes six degrees and then the performance changes," he concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Ludo van Denderen
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