Marko's Praise for Verstappen Comes with Norris Swipe

Marko lauds Verstappen’s dominance, calling him “the true champion” while delivering a subtle jab at Norris’s performance.

Dr. Helmut Marko admits that Max Verstappen will almost certainly secure his fourth Formula 1 World Championship in 2024.

Ahead of Brazil, amid a turbulent season for Red Bull and ongoing performance issues, the Dutchman had been losing points to Lando Norris and McLaren.

Additionally, Verstappen, his father Jos, and team advisor Marko all hinted at a clear pro-British bias within the media and even among FIA officials.

“All that nonsense that was being spread, and then this is the response we wanted to see from Max,” remarked Marko after Verstappen climbed through the field from 17th to win the Brazilian GP, extending his lead over Norris to 62 points.

This means Verstappen can realistically clinch the drivers’ title next time in Las Vegas (find the scenarios here)—with two full Grands Prix, including one Sprint, still to follow.

“Max was flying. He was flawless, and the same can’t be said for Lando Norris.”

Marko took a jab at Norris, asserting that the São Paulo Grand Prix had shown who the “true champion” is.

“Is this a giant step toward the title? No, I think it’s already the title.”

Marko was confident before the race that Verstappen would at least reach the podium, leading to a friendly wager with the driver’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase.

“I bet Max’s race engineer that Max would make the podium. Lambiase didn’t believe it. We bet $100, but I only said podium, not a win. I still won. But Max always wants to do even better.”

“He was driving in his own world. When he could run in clean air, without the spray, he flew around the track. He made sensational overtakes. I said he’d finish on the podium, but with such a display, more was possible, and he gave the right response to recent events.”

Marko reveals, however, that Verstappen was among those who urged race control to stop the event.

“He wasn’t the only one, but when the rain was heavy, he also pleaded to stop the race.”

“I don’t understand why they did two more dangerous laps, but this was a demonstration from Max. It’s the right reaction to everything going on lately.”

“It’s thanks to his incredible car control, especially in the rain. This instinct drives him to push the limits far more than anyone else. It was the same in 2016, in a similar race. The world title is within reach.”