Marko demands Red Bull perfection in Verstappen title challenge
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko outlined that Max Verstappen’s ‘slim’ title chance could be achieved if the team executes the remaining four events to perfection.
“Everything at Red Bull Racing has to be absolutely perfect.”- Helmut Marko on Verstappen's title chances
Marko identified the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix sprint weekend as a critical battleground in Verstappen’s fight against the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
With 33 points available over the Sao Paulo sprint weekend, it presents an opportunity for four-time world champion Verstappen to make significant inroads on his 36-point deficit to championship leader Norris.
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Red Bull need to extract ‘maximum performance’
Speaking to Sport.de after the Mexico GP weekend, Marko said: “Realistically, the chances are very slim.
“To be perfectly clear about our approach, everything at Red Bull Racing has to be absolutely perfect.
“That means we have to extract the maximum performance from the car in every race so that Max can attack.
“There are four races left, but 116 points are up for grabs and I believe Brazil will be absolutely crucial.
“We would have to finish ahead of both McLarens there to keep our chances alive.
“We really want to leave no stone unturned and that's certainly an advantage, but 36 points is still a significant gap.
“However, the gap is still Max, and the whole team is motivated and strong. And because we're focused, I believe we have a slight edge.”
Brazil as a key battleground
Sao Paulo’s Autódromo José Carlos Pace has been somewhat of a Max Verstappen favourite, with three wins at the circuit to date.
Two of his greatest ever performances have taken place at the circuit. A 19-year-old Verstappen stunned the world with a masterful wet-weather display in 2016 where he carved through the field in the late stages to earn himself P3.
He topped this with one of the greatest drives the sport has ever seen in 2024 when he turned a P17 starting position into a peerless victory by almost 20 seconds in similarly treacherous wet conditions.
The promise of a 33-point maximum haul in Brazil at one of Verstappen’s strongest circuits could play into hands as the Dutchman hopes to replicate the sprint weekend success of Austin just two races ago.
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