Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has urged Max Verstappen to possess “nerves of steel” in the final four rounds of the Formula 1 title, which he believes will be decided by “nuances”.
The Milton Keynes-based squad has enjoyed an incredulous upturn in form across the final quarter of the season, with Verstappen taking three victories in six races.
It has put the Dutchman from settling for the relinquishment of his crown to having an outside but still realistic chance to retaining it, putting McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on notice.
Despite both men holding a points advantage on Verstappen, many have felt that the momentum is – or was until the Mexico City Grand Prix – with him, due to his title-winning nous and evident form advantage.
But Marko, speaking to sports.de, said that, despite the points deficit still putting Verstappen on the periphery, the feeling is that Verstappen can still win.
“We believe in it. We have the will and a small chance,” he said.
One of Red Bull’s greatest strengths in this title fight has been experience. McLaren has not won a Drivers’ title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008, and in that time, Red Bull have won eight, three of which have come at the final round, something Marko intimated could prove to be a pivotal factor.
“In 2010 we managed it in the last race, in 2012 as well, and in 2021 Verstappen became world champion in the last lap,” he recalled.
The Austrian acknowledged that Verstappen has “already achieved some special feats,” adding “but if he manages this comeback, that would be particularly sensational.”
Perhaps McLaren’s refusal to prioritise one driver over the other will be a crucial element in what decides the outcome, which Marko alluded to, hoping that the team and Verstappen will now have a faultless remainder of the season.
“Now it’s a matter of having nerves of steel and not making any mistakes,” he explained. “Nuances will decide it.”
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