Helmut Markohis advisor Red Bull and one of the key figures of the Austrian team, he does not mince words. His statements are usually juicy because they are unfiltered: at 79, he says what he thinks. Punish and reward in equal parts.
The former Formula 1 driver (ran 9 GPs in the early 1970s) has always shown his dedication to Max Verstappenbut in an interview with Motorsport he made it more than clear: “Verstappen is the best driver we’ve ever had. After winning the World Cup, he further consolidated his values. When you have such a great driver, it’s important to take full advantage of his potential.”
And I add: “Max loves a car that’s really good at the front, he doesn’t care what the back does. Pérez and everyone before say it may be still, but Max is undaunted.
At first reading, the phrase sounds forceful. And although Max has everything to repeat the title in 2022, in which he beats Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) by 80 points, Marko is proving to have a short memory. It is worth remembering that a certain one ran at Red Bull Sebastian Vettelwho won four drivers’ championships and four constructors’ championships…
Who is the better driver: Max Verstappen or Sebastian Vettel?
Likes are likes, so Helmut’s sentence cannot be debated by subjectivity. However, for an even comparison one can look at the performance of Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull.
Red Bull reached Maximum in 2005 and after four years entered the big battle in 2009. Then, from 2010 to 2013, he had no rival and was always first. With the exception of 2015, the team has always remained in the top three.
The team, until the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix hiatus, amasses 338 Grands Prix with the astonishing mark of 84 victories, with an efficiency of 24.85%. Vettel took 38 of them, including the first RB (China 2009), in 113 races. And Max? He currently collects 28 in 131 events.
Although the comparison that really weighs is that of the titles. That Verstappen can get to Vettel’s four is possible (some will consider it possible if Mercedes fail to adapt to future aerodynamic changes and Ferrari can’t find stability), but it’s a long way off at the moment. The German not only left his mark on Red Bull, he did so on F1 as well: Third among drivers with most wins (53), third in podium finishes (122) and fourth in pole positions (57).
Knights have no memory. And boy is Marco a gentleman…
