Outgoing Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has claimed that Max Verstappen is only getting better and “I can’t see an end to this development” in Formula 1.
After overseeing the Milton Keynes-based team’s junior program since its inception, Marko has called it quits on his two-decade-long tenure with Red Bull.
The 82-year-old has been credited with scouting drivers like Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Verstappen. Though for the latter, he holds the highest regard.
“The connection was certainly a very intense one, or the most intimate, I can’t say,” Marko told ORF about his relationship with the four-time F1 Champion.
“But it was the closest connection I’ve ever had with a driver.”
The 28-year-old narrowly missed out on a fifth consecutive title in Abu Dhabi to McLaren’s Lando Norris last week.
Having endured a difficult first half of the season with a tricky RB21, the Dutchman mounted a sensational comeback since the summer shutdown.
Winning six races out of 10, he closed a 104-point deficit to the top to only two points after the season finale.
Marko believes that while Verstappen failed to retain his crown, he will be fighting for many more titles in the future, given the rate at which he has been progressing.
“The fascinating thing was that with each passing year, Max Verstappen became faster, more mature, better,” he added.
“And to this day, I can’t see an end to this development, even though he is already the best driver. That was the fascinating thing.”
Moreover, the Austrian taskmaster also highlighted how, with time, Verstappen has also rounded his personality off the track, developing into a natural leader of men.
“We hardly ever had any differences of opinion. There were a few silly things, especially in the early stages. But the more successful he became, the simpler his approach became. He has become much calmer,” Marko explained.
“He hardly ever has any lapses or outbursts, which were of course present in the early stages. And he has become an incredibly perfect or incredible personality for his age.
“Max has become such a personality that, despite his relatively young age, he leads a team and can lead it the way he does.”
Marko reveals morose Verstappen conversation post F1 exit
Verstappen’s title loss in Abu Dhabi made Marko realise that his time at the pinnacle of single-seater, open-wheel racing had come to an end.
During a dinner with Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, it was decided that Marko would be stepping down from his role within the team.
That said, while Verstappen was initially scheduled to be at that meeting, he was unable to make it.
Marko revealed that he spoke to the Dutchman the next day, and it was apparent that the duo shared a great bond.
“Max should have been there, too,” he said. “There were some problems with his flight, so he wasn’t there.
“I called him the next day. It wasn’t a normal conversation. There was a certain melancholy in the air. He said he never could have imagined that he would ever achieve such success.”
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