Marko Amused by McLaren's 'Go Get Max' Message in Las Vegas
Red Bull's Helmut Marko found McLaren's 'go get Max' radio message to Lando Norris in Las Vegas amusing, believing Max Verstappen was always in control. Verstappen himself admitted the message only fueled his motivation, leading to a dominant display where he pulled away from Norris, who later faced fuel issues. This highlights Verstappen's unwavering confidence and Red Bull's formidable control, even in the face of competitor challenges, underscoring their current dominance in F1.
Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko found McLaren's radio message urging Lando Norris to 'go get Max' Verstappen during the Las Vegas Grand Prix to be "the best moment of the race," confident that Norris would never have overtaken the dominant Dutchman.
Why it matters:
This anecdote highlights the psychological warfare inherent in Formula 1 and underscores Verstappen's formidable control over races. Even with rival teams pushing their drivers, Verstappen's ability to respond with overwhelming pace reaffirms his status as the sport's benchmark. It also offers a glimpse into Red Bull's unwavering confidence in their star driver's capabilities, further cementing their dominant position.
The Details:
- Race Start Drama: Lando Norris, starting from pole, aggressively cut off Verstappen into Turn 1 but overshot the braking zone, allowing Verstappen and George Russell to pass.
- Marko credited Verstappen's aggressive opening as a tactic that "forced Norris into a mistake."
- The Radio Call: On Lap 35, after Norris passed Russell, McLaren radioed Norris with the now-infamous command: "Go get Max."
- Verstappen's Reaction: Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, relayed the message. Verstappen later commented to Viaplay, "I have to laugh about it. It only motivates me. It only works adversely. It only motivates me to defend even harder if he would have come."
- Marko's Amusement: Helmut Marko echoed Verstappen's sentiment, stating, "This was exactly what Max needed, even though he didn't really need it. For me, that was the best moment of the race [laughs]. After that, it was poof, poof, poof. One fastest lap after another. That's typical Max."
- Verstappen's Control: Marko asserted that Verstappen "could always respond. He was the fastest driver and managed his tyres well. Norris would never have overtaken us. It was an incredible Verstappen show. Max more or less controlled the race."
- Norris's Struggles: While Verstappen pulled away, Norris slowed significantly in the latter stages. Data analysis from PlanetF1.com suggested Norris was likely fuel-critical.
- Post-Race Disqualification: Both McLaren drivers, Norris and Oscar Piastri, were later disqualified due to excessive plank wear, further solidifying Verstappen's victory.
The Big Picture:
Verstappen's ability to maintain a calm and dominant front, even when challenged by rivals, speaks volumes about his mental fortitude and skill. Marko's comments highlight the palpable confidence within the Red Bull camp, where even perceived threats from competitors are quickly dismissed or even used as motivation. The incident underscores the current competitive chasm between Red Bull and the rest of the grid, a gap that McLaren, despite their recent improvements, is still striving to close.
What's next:
With Verstappen continually demonstrating his mastery, the focus shifts to how rival teams like McLaren will adapt their strategies and car development to genuinely challenge him. The incident serves as a reminder that psychological elements, alongside raw pace, are crucial in the intense world of Formula 1. Red Bull, meanwhile, will continue to leverage Verstappen's confidence and ability to maintain their dominant run.