formula 1
Marko rules out a Verstappen change à la Hamilton
Helmut Marko answered the question in the negative as to whether he was worried that Verstappen could become weak if Mercedes made a corresponding offer. photo
© Remko De Waal/ANP/dpa
Before the presentation of the new car for Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s motorsport consultant commented, among other things, on Lewis Hamilton’s change announcement. It doesn’t work without taunts.
Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko considers a move for Max Verstappen as his successor Lewis Hamilton ruled out at Mercedes after this season.
When asked whether he was not worried that Verstappen could become weak if the German Formula 1 factory racing team made a corresponding offer, Marko replied to the Austrian portal oe24.at: “No, he has a good memory.”
Too much had happened in the past, said the 80-year-old from Graz and recalled the accident in 2021 at Hamilton’s home race in Silverstone. After a collision with record world champion Hamilton’s Mercedes, Verstappen left the track in his Red Bull and crashed into the tire wall at high speed. Hamilton won the British Grand Prix. Marko also spoke of the “vortex back then at the final in Abu Dhabi. That runs deep.”
However, in the last and all-important race of 2021 at the Yas Marina Circuit, Hamilton was the victim when the then race director ensured that after a safety car phase there was a final showdown between the two title rivals. With an overtaking maneuver on the last lap of the race, Verstappen secured victory and the title. He won the world championship again in 2022 and 2023.
Lewis Hamilton will drive for Ferrari from 2025
Rival Hamilton will compete against Verstappen in the Mercedes for the last time this year, whose contract with Red Bull is valid until 2028. Hamilton is making use of an exit clause after this season and will drive for Ferrari from 2025. Asked how Verstappen reacted to the change announcement, Marko said: “He was just amused.”
After Ferrari presented the new car for the coming season on Tuesday and Mercedes on Wednesday, it’s Red Bull’s turn today. However, the presentation is overshadowed by allegations from an employee against team boss Christian Horner for allegedly inappropriate behavior. The parent company has commissioned an external law firm to investigate. It remains to be seen whether Horner will remain in his position depending on the outcome.