Marco: Max cannot drive at the limit all season

In Barcelona, ​​Max Verstappen achieved the seventh victory of the season for Red Bull Racing, but Helmut Marko predicts that a repeat of the success at his home circuit in Spielberg, where the Austrian Grand Prix is ​​held, will not be easy. Red Bull’s motorsport advisor spoke about this in an interview with the Austrian tabloid Österreich…

Question: After Verstappen’s victory in Barcelona, ​​your response to the Austrian TV channel ORF lasted only a few seconds…
Helmut Marko: I was already in a hurry to get on the plane. Next weekend we have a stage in Spielberg, which means there will be more stress. When three races take place in a row at weekly intervals, everyone has to overcome logistical difficulties, as well as physical and mental stress. But I managed to say everything that was important.

Question: Are you saying that Red Bull’s car is no longer the fastest, but that Verstappen is still doing his job so he keeps winning?
Helmut Marko: Absolutely right. But Max can’t fly like this, ie at the limit, the entire season. It should be noted that even by his standards, the overtake that allowed him to take the lead was simply incredible.

Question: In one of the newspapers a headline appeared: “Verstappen is faster than his car”….
Helmut Marko: This well reflects the essence of what is happening. Max wins because he drives with so much confidence, not because he has a very good car.

Question: What was confirmed in the case of Sergio Perez, who finished only eighth…
Helmut Marko: That’s true, even if Sergio started from an even more distant position. Given the current circumstances, we cannot afford poor performance.

Question: Fortunately for Red Bull, the rivals lack stability, so Verstappen gradually increases his lead. Lando Norris shows excellent speed behind the wheel of a McLaren, before that Charles Leclerc won the race in a Ferrari – maybe Mercedes can excel now?
Helmut Marko: If Mercedes now also enters the debate about high results, that will be good for us, because it will be easier for Red Bull to maintain its leadership in the constructors’ championship.

Question: According to experts, such changes in the balance of forces will at least ensure spectacular and exciting races, and this could also be the case in Austria…
Helmut Marko: However, we would like to win our home Grand Prix.

Question: There will be 30 thousand Dutch fans in the stands of the Red Bull Ring, and they will all be hoping to celebrate another victory for Verstappen…
Helmut Marko: Let me remind you that McLaren’s progress started precisely with the Austrian Grand Prix last year. The weekend program also includes a sprint. If we don’t perform well on Friday, we could have problems in the sprint.

Q: What emotions are you feeling ahead of the weekend at your home track in Spielberg?
Helmut Marko: The Red Bull Ring has a unique atmosphere, Max has had many victories there, including where we won the first race with Honda engines, for which I had to fight, so there are many pleasant emotions.

In 2019, Max beat Leclerc, but his victory was only confirmed three hours after the finish due to a Ferrari protest and we had to worry. It was then that Dietrich Mateschitz said: “It doesn’t matter what they decide, but morally we will still remain winners”…