Marko's clear message to Norris and Leclerc: 'Verstappen is the best'
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With just six races in the 2024 Formula 1 season, Red Bull's senior advisor, Helmut Marko, has sent a clear message to Max Verstappen's competitors. Although the Dutchman currently leads the drivers' championship by 52 points, Lando Norris(McLaren) and Charles Leclerc(Ferrari) remain firmly involved in the championship fight. However, Marko believes that Verstappen possesses certain qualities that set him apart from his competitors.
Marko's message for Norris and Leclerc: 'Verstappen is the best, also mentally'
Speaking to Motorsport Magazin, Marko predicted that Verstappen would win the 2024 world championship. In recent races, the McLaren and Ferrari seemed stronger than the Red Bull, but Marko believes that not much of a difference will be made in the long run. "Verstappen is the best. He is the fastest and, above all, he has the mental strength to theoretically fight for the world championship more than Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris," said the Austrian. Marko was heavily involved in helping Verstappen join Formula 1. The Dutchman's first full F1 season was in 2015 when he was just 17. "We know Norris has some mental weaknesses. I have read about some rituals he has to perform to do well on race day," Marko added.
Will Verstappen maintain his championship lead?
The three-time world champion still holds a 52-point lead over second-placed Norris and 86 points over third-placed Leclerc. Still, there are six races to go. Three sprint races also remain in what has been an exciting season. Red Bull is set to bring some updates to their RB20 this weekend in Austin. The Milton Keynes-based team will be hoping that their upgrades can propel them to victory. Red Bull and Max Verstappen have not won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in June.
Red Bull has not been the dominant force this season. McLaren, Ferrari, and also Mercedes have won several races. McLaren now leads the constructors championship, and Red Bull will be the hunter, not the hunted, for the first time since they lost a close battle to Mercedes in 2021.
This article was written in collaboration with Jeroen Immink.
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