Helmut Marko's Shifting Belief in Max Verstappen's F1 Title Chances

Helmut Marko, Red Bull's advisor, revealed his initial optimism for Max Verstappen's podium finish at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, despite Verstappen's own skepticism about the car's performance. Marko's belief in Verstappen's championship comeback dates back to Monza, emphasizing the need for perfection in the remaining races.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's internal dynamics and the contrasting outlooks of key figures like Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen offer a fascinating glimpse into the high-pressure world of F1 championship campaigns. Marko's unwavering faith, even when faced with team skepticism, highlights his pivotal role in motivating and guiding the team, especially during critical moments of a title fight.

The Details:

• Pre-Race Disagreement: On Saturday evening, Marko believed a podium was achievable for Verstappen from fifth on the grid, attributing qualifying issues to an overly low ride height that caused bottoming out in Turn 9. Verstappen, however, strongly disagreed, stating, "No, the car just doesn't work. And it won't work tomorrow either. Let's just leave it at that."
• Marko's Optimism Prevails: Verstappen indeed secured a podium finish in Mexico City, prompting Marko to playfully remind him of his pre-race positivity. Marko noted that no one in the team, including Verstappen, was willing to bet against his optimistic prediction.
• Technical Explanation: Marko reiterated that the ride height was too low in qualifying. However, with full fuel tanks in the race, the car didn't bottom out in corners as severely, negating the qualifying handicap.
• Verstappen's Impact: Beyond technical adjustments, Marko stressed that Verstappen himself made the difference. "We know that when Max is in a race, it's a different story. He forgets everything and he just goes." The only moment of concern was the start, particularly with four cars charging into Turn 1 side by side.
• Soft-Tyre Stint: Verstappen's crucial second stint on soft tires impressed Marko, who initially feared a drop in pace. Verstappen consistently delivered lap times within half a tenth of a second, which Marko described as "typical Max."

The Big Picture:

Verstappen's podium finish in Mexico cut his championship deficit to 36 points with four rounds remaining. This result injected new life into Red Bull's title aspirations, which Marko had privately believed in since Monza.

What's next:

• Perfection is Key: Both Marko and Verstappen acknowledge that perfection is paramount in the remaining races. "Every point is essential. As we know, we must do everything perfectly. In the last four races, there are 116 points to score. But we must be perfect, and we can't afford small mistakes in the set-up, which happened here."
• No Circuit Bias: Red Bull does not view any remaining circuit as tougher than others, believing their car and driver are strong enough to compete at the front everywhere.
• Brazil Outlook: Looking ahead to Brazil, Marko hopes for rain, anticipating it could create another "Verstappen show" and aid his championship mission.