Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has said he would “put money” on Max Verstappen beating Lewis Hamilton next season even if Ferrari has a quicker Formula 1 car.
This week, Hamilton embarked upon his maiden outing as a Ferrari driver at the Fiorano test circuit, completing 30 laps in the team’s 2023 car, the SF-23.
A mass crowd of adoring Tifosi fans, photographers and media personnel were spectating from afar as the seven-time F1 World Champion took the track.
It will be his 19th season in the sport as the Briton will complete his lifelong dream of racing for Ferrari this year as he bids to end his career with a record eighth title.
However, Marko has put a dent in the celebrations as he has claimed that Hamilton will be no match for Verstappen in 2025 even should Ferrari have the better package.
The Austrian’s statement as he commented on how McLaren and Ferrari, the two teams that finished above Red Bull in 2024, will fare in the upcoming campaign.
“The two race teams had the best base for their cars last season and were able to perform well on most circuits,” Marko told Sport Bild.
“They can build on that but none of the drivers stand out for me.
“Charles Leclerc is good in qualifying but makes a lot of mistakes in the races.
“And Lewis Hamilton still has the speed, but can he keep that up for a whole season?
“I have my doubts about that.
“Even if he has a good Ferrari and we build a mediocre Red Bull for Max, I would put my money on Max.”
Red Bull has to deliver a competitive car
The Dutchman secured the title in 2024 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, his fourth Drivers’ Championship in a row since he overcame Hamilton for his first title in 2021.
But McLaren’s pace as the season developed saw Norris chase down Verstappen’s lead to the point that the Dutchman was concerned that he would lose the crown.
Despite a late-season revival, the RB20 remained no match to McLaren’s MCL38, leaving Marko to admit that Red Bull must improve to be in the mix with Verstappen.
“Max is not only the fastest, but the best in Formula 1 from the overall package,” he added.
“He gets 0.1 to 0.2 seconds out of the car per lap that no other driver finds.
“Now it’s up to us to build him a car that lets him not only temporarily, but constantly drive for victories.
“Our working window has to get bigger.”
READ MORE: Mercedes ‘never’ planned to have Max Verstappen replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025
