Helmut Marko admitted that being Max Verstappen’s teammate in the top tier of motorsport is a challenging task. Verstappen is a highly skilled and fearless driver known for his aggressive racing style. His ability to navigate races, make strategic decisions, and adapt to changing conditions is exceptional. He has proven himself by outperforming even the seven-time world champion in 2021. Marko, the motorsports consultant for Red Bull, acknowledged that beating Verstappen as a teammate is no easy feat.
The performance of Red Bull’s other driver has been struggling as of late, despite driving the same car as Verstappen. Meanwhile, Verstappen has already won seven races this season, showcasing an impressive start. Marko believes that the team needs to find ways to improve the handling of the car in upcoming races. He is confident that with some adjustments, the car can become more stable and easier to drive for the other driver, Checo. However, Marko highlights the difficulty of being Verstappen’s teammate. Checo, who is 26 years old, is highly skilled but matching Verstappen’s level of performance is nearly impossible. Although Checo has won races in the past, he is struggling to replicate that success in the current season.
Marko revealed that Red Bull’s recent discussions after the last race focused not only on the drivers but also on improving the overall performance of the cars. They regularly evaluate potential changes to address the current issues. Their primary objective is to make the car easier to handle, which would ultimately enhance the drivers’ performance. Their aim is to create a more user-friendly car that allows the drivers to compete at a higher level.
Marko explained that when the RB20 becomes challenging to drive, Verstappen’s exceptional talent shines even brighter. He noted that Verstappen doesn’t let the car’s instability slow him down; instead, he acknowledges the difficulty but continues to push forward. On the other hand, Perez finds the car much more difficult to handle and often describes it as nearly impossible to drive. This disparity highlights the difference in skill between the two drivers, as Verstappen manages the tough car better than Perez. Therefore, Marko acknowledges the tough position Perez is in as Verstappen’s teammate.
Marko emphasized that even if they had not made major changes to the car, Verstappen would still be able to drive it. However, Perez struggles to handle such a car. As a result, Red Bull has decided to make the car more user-friendly and balanced, catering to the needs of both drivers.
Photo from Max Verstappen Instagram
