Marko Addresses Verstappen's Title Chances: Where the Fight Was 'Lost'
Red Bull's Helmut Marko believes Max Verstappen's championship hopes were severely dented after Imola, when Red Bull's performance dipped. Now 49 points behind Lando Norris with only three Grands Prix and one Sprint remaining, Verstappen faces an uphill battle, needing a DNF from Norris to realistically secure a fifth consecutive title. The team remains optimistic about their mid-season recovery, but the final races will be critical.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull's motorsport advisor, suggests Max Verstappen's championship hopes began to unravel after Imola, where a series of challenging races saw him lose significant ground. Despite a strong recovery in recent races, Verstappen now faces a 49-point deficit to Lando Norris with only three Grands Prix and one Sprint remaining, making his path to a fifth consecutive title incredibly narrow.
Why it matters:
Max Verstappen's pursuit of a fifth consecutive F1 World Championship has taken an unexpected turn. What seemed like a dominant season has become a nail-biting fight, with Lando Norris now leading the standings. Marko's comments highlight the critical junctures where Red Bull's performance faltered, creating a scenario where Verstappen's championship reign is on the brink, setting up a thrilling conclusion to the season.
The Details:
- Post-Imola Struggles: According to Marko, the key period where the title was 'lost' – if it is indeed lost – was a stretch of half a dozen races after the Imola weekend, where "little worked" for Red Bull, and Verstappen secured only one podium finish.
- Recent Setbacks: In Mexico City, Verstappen qualified P5, half a second behind pole-sitter Norris, before finishing P3. In Brazil, he endured a worrying Q1 exit in qualifying for the Grand Prix, though he recovered impressively from the pit lane to finish on the podium.
- Growing Deficit: Norris outscored Verstappen by 13 points in Brazil and 10 points in Mexico City, extending his lead to 49 points.
- Marko's Assessment: Marko concedes that unless Norris experiences a DNF or a collision, Verstappen's chances of retaining the World title are slim. "49 points behind Norris, with three grands prix and one sprint to go – something has to happen now with Lando Norris to keep Max’s World Championship chances intact, otherwise we have no chance."
- Positive Spin: Despite the deficit, Marko sees a positive in Red Bull's mid-season turnaround, which brought them back into championship contention after a difficult period. "The overall situation is therefore positive."
- Circuit Analysis: Marko believes Las Vegas might favor Red Bull with its fast passages, while Qatar and Abu Dhabi, with their medium-speed corners, could suit McLaren's MCL39 more. However, he acknowledges that such assessments are less definitive than in the past due to ever-changing car performance.
What's next:
The championship battle heads to Las Vegas, where 25 points are on offer. If Norris maximizes points, Verstappen would need a P2 finish to stay in contention. If Norris finishes second, Verstappen would require at least a P5. A non-score for Norris and a win for Verstappen would significantly reduce the deficit to 24 points, keeping the fight alive for Qatar and Abu Dhabi. However, a strong performance from Norris could see him clinch the title early, making the upcoming races pivotal for both drivers.