Max, Not the Car, is Red Bull’s Dominance Factor – Marko

The element that truly sets Red Bull’s Formula 1 ensemble apart is none other than Max Verstappen.

This sentiment is shared by the team’s Dr. Helmut Marko, who, at 80, proclaims that he has no intention of stepping away in the near future.

“As long as I am in good mental and physical shape, and as long as they give me the opportunity to continue, I will do it,” the Austrian expressed to motorsport-magazin.com.

“As long as I am able to make a positive contribution, I don’t feel like a lame old man.”

Indeed, given Red Bull’s current dominance, the energy drink-backed team would be hesitant to make any alterations whatsoever.

“They are simply perfect in every discipline,” said Ferrari’s boss Frederic Vasseur earlier this week, “regardless of whether it’s the chassis, aerodynamics, engine, driver or strategy.

“That’s what makes the difference.”

Marko, however, holds a slightly different perspective.

“Of course we have a very good car, which we have improved compared to last year,” he stated. “Our rivals Ferrari and Mercedes have been surprisingly disappointing.

“They have remained at the same level and are still struggling with a variety of problems. Our car is by far the most versatile and the fastest on the track.

“But the advantage, sometimes reaching half a minute at the finish line, is Verstappen,” Marko insisted.

“Having Max is key,” he further emphasized. “The reason for the superiority of Red Bull is the speed of Verstappen, not the car.

“You have to compare him with Sergio Perez, who is definitely one of the five fastest drivers. And on average, Verstappen is faster by half a second – sometimes more – in qualifying.

“And in the race, the situation is the same,” Marko concluded.