Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko spoke in an interview about the celebration of Max Verstappen’s fourth title, the prospects for 2025 and commented on the upcoming Formula 1 debut of the Cadillac team.
Question: Did you have time to celebrate your fourth title with Max in Las Vegas?
Helmut Marko: We didn’t have much time left. The awards ceremony started after midnight, but it was fun on the track. Then the individual celebration continued. I returned to the hotel between four in the morning and half past four, but I couldn’t sleep well. I had to be at the airport at half past eight and that was tough.
Question: You’re not a big fan of Las Vegas, are you?
Helmut Marko: When the lights are on, everything is fine. Over the weekend I realized this city was perfect for a party.
Question: Have you already spoken to Max about next season?
Helmut Marko: We didn’t have a single free minute. In the coming days we can have a relaxing dinner in Dubai.
Question: Can Max win a fifth title in 2025?
Helmut Marko: If we provide him with the right car, Max will do it.
Question: Max said he would have won the title sooner with a Ferrari or McLaren. Is that so?
Helmut Marko: He’s certainly right about that. This year, no other driver except Max would have won the title for us. He definitely didn’t have the best car.
Q: But this is still a controversial statement on an early title, given the high competition in the second half of the season…
Helmut Marko: In Las Vegas, to everyone’s surprise, Mercedes not only won the race, but also dominated all sessions. They were simply unlucky that we won the title and little attention was paid to their strong performances.
Question: Will Mercedes become Red Bull’s main rival next year?
Helmut Marko: To do this, they will have to consistently show results. Las Vegas had special conditions due to the low temperatures. Let’s see how they perform in the remaining two races of the season. But I don’t think they will maintain their lead. I hope we win at least one more race.
Question: Is Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari good or bad for you?
Helmut Marko: This year, George Russell is already performing better than Hamilton. Ferrari’s driver line-up will be stronger next year, but I am curious to see if there will be harmony within the team.
Question: No one believes Sergio Perez will remain Max’s partner in 2025…
Helmut Marko: This will be decided after the last race in Abu Dhabi. In any case, Sergio acts as if he will play for us for another year.
Question: What do you think about the Cadillac team debuting in Formula 1 in 2026?
Helmut Marko: New teams are not initially successful, but the emergence of a name like Cadillac with the support of General Motors is certainly a victory for Formula 1.
Question: But Toto Wolff is not happy with this deal, as Mercedes will have to give up part of the prize money…
Helmut Marko: Cadillac’s entry fee doesn’t even come close to offsetting the investment we’ve made for over a decade.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
