Marko is without doubt: "Verstappen in another league to rivals and Vettel"
F1 News
Sebastian Vettel was once Red Bull Racing's lead driver and sole champion. How good the German was behind the wheel of an F1 car, Dr. Helmut Marko should know, since the German was developed by the Milton Keynes' based team's young driver programme, spearheaded by Marko himself. Following Vettel's departure for Ferrari however, Daniel Ricciardo seemed to take the mantle from the German, until a young Max Verstappen came on the scene, drawing the support of Marko, a decision the Red Bull advisor does not regret.
Having won four world titles for Red Bull Racing, Vettel wanted to leave for Ferrari and emulate his all-time hero, Michael Schumacher, and win a title for the Italian marquee, putting the Austrian team in the awkward position of having to find a suitable replacement for a world champion.
"When Sebastian Vettel left us at the end of 2014, we were looking for a young and exciting talent to replace him. We chose Verstappen," says the Austrian in an interview with the Italian magazine, Autosprint. "To be honest, Max is on another level compared to his current rivals and Vettel," added Marko placing the Dutch talent above the German, labeling Verstappen as 'completely different' and praising him as being 'in a different league.'
As Marko's focus shifted toward the Dutchman, making his F1 debut for Toro Rosso in 2015 and moving up to Red Bull Racing a year later at the Spanish Grand Prix, replacing the demoted Daniil Kvyat, the Austrian looks back on the decision as being the right one.
Marko: "I chose another path and I don't regret it at all"
"When I focused on Max, things started to go well. His victory at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix proved that decision to be correct." Of course, at the time, Daniel Ricciardo had soundly beaten Vettel during their one year together in 2014 and was poised to lead Red Bull before Verstappen's arrival. While the Australian had potential, Marko has no regrets on going the Verstappen route.
"If I had focused on Ricciardo, maybe he would have been world champion. But I chose another path and I don't regret it at all. The investment I made in Verstappen has given me a lot."
Verstappen's loyalty to Marko was particularly evident when the Dutchman came to the Austrian's defense in last year's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, stating he would leave Red Bull Racing were the team's Advisor to be ousted amidst the controversies that surrounded the team in early 2024. After a particularly tough season for Red Bull Racing, Verstappen managed to emerge as World Champion equalling Vettel's world championships tally of 4. This year the Dutchman will vy for his fifth consecutive title in what looks to be one of the most exciting seasons the sport has ever seen.
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