'Helmut likes drivers who can fight him, and Verstappen does just that'

05:06, 05 Apr
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F1 world champion, Jacques Villeneuve believes Red Bull Racing's chief advisor, Helmut Marko, likes drivers who can fight him, and Max Verstappen does just that according to the Canadian.

Speaking in Sky Sports, Villeneuve made the comparison between Williams legend, Patrick Head, and the 81 year old Austrian.

"I got along with Patrick Head, which means I probably could have gotten along with Helmut Marko."

'Marko likes tough drivers, like Verstappen'

"He likes drivers that are tough, that can kind of fight him, as long as it's constructive and intelligent," added the Canadian, who believes that to be the reason why the relationship between Verstappen and Marko is as strong as it is.

He's [Max Verstappen] not an easy character and he can stand up to Helmut
- Jacques Villeneuve on the relationship between Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen

"So, that's how Max is. He's not an easy character and he can stand up to Helmut and there's a big respect in between the two."

During the broadcast, narrator, David Croft noted the presence of the Austrian in the Red Bull garage, to which Villeneuve responded: "He's passionate, isn't he?". The Briton replied with a simply, "Absolutely."