Helmut Marko's Sobering Outlook Dampens Verstappen's Title Hopes
Helmut Marko suggests Max Verstappen's chances of replicating last year's title chase are slim, citing stronger competition and a less reliable Red Bull car. Verstappen faces a 100-point deficit, with his Red Bull contract future in question.
Max Verstappen left Budapest feeling less than cheerful, his form a far cry from last year's title-hunting prowess. Helmut Marko, the former Red Bull motorsport advisor, isn't optimistic about Verstappen repeating last season's dramatic title chase. According to Marko, Red Bull's opponents have become "too strong," making a comeback seem unlikely. Verstappen heads into the summer break winless, enduring his longest dry spell since 2020, with 11 Grands Prix passing without a victory.
Despite trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 100 points, Verstappen is still in the hunt, with 316 points available in the season's latter half. Last year, Verstappen clawed back 104 points against Oscar Piastri over nine races, eventually finishing just two points shy of a fifth consecutive world title. But Marko believes the current landscape is different. This time, Verstappen starts from a more challenging position, yet to win a race, while facing fiercer competition not just from Mercedes but also from Ferrari and McLaren.
Verstappen's relationship with his RB22 has been less than harmonious, often voicing concerns about everything from gear shifts to aerodynamics. Marko notes that things aren't running smoothly between Verstappen and his engineers, adding, "The car is too unstable." He doesn't foresee a repeat of Red Bull's 2025 resurgence, suggesting the challenges, both internal and external, are too great.
Meanwhile, speculation about Verstappen's future has surfaced. With the option to trigger an exit clause in his Red Bull contract after Hungary, Verstappen could be contemplating a move to McLaren. His decision looms as negotiations reportedly near completion. Although Verstappen has described Red Bull as a "second family," he remains tight-lipped about his plans. "I don't want to say yes or no about my future," he stated at Spa.
Marko, despite no longer being with Red Bull, hopes Verstappen stays with the team until his contract ends in 2028. "I sincerely hope he stays," Marko remarked. The coming months will reveal whether Verstappen's loyalty to Red Bull holds firm or if a new chapter with McLaren beckons.