Helmut Marko claims Max Verstappen a ‘more natural driver’ than Sebastian Vettel

Red Bull Motorsport Consultant Dr. Helmut Marko revealed a key difference between Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.

Helmut Marko claims Max Verstappen a ‘more natural driver’ than Sebastian Vettel

Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko, and Sebastian Vettel (images via IMAGO)

Red Bull Racing has had perhaps the most successful driver academy in F1. The Austrian giant has given the sport several drivers including, Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel. Both Verstappen and Vettel have dominated F1 for a couple of seasons . Now, Dr. Helmut Marko revealed a key difference between the two Red Bull-supported drivers.

Marko asserted that every driver was different and one could not really compare them. The 81-year-old highlighted that Sebastian Vettel would always delve into the fine details of the car and ask for technical feedback to push himself to the limit. However, Helmut Marko claimed that once Vettel was in the zone, he would deliver.

Each driver is different you know and we don’t really compare. But Seb is a driver who works into each detail and needs a lot of technical feedback before he goes fast. But once he has everything under control, yeah, he’s delivering.
Helmut Marko told Grandprix247
YouTube video

On the other hand, Marko reckoned that Max Verstappen was simply a more natural driver compared to the four-time world champion. The Dutch driver was quick from the moment he got into the car. Moreover, Helmut Marko doesn’t understand how Verstappen can switch to sim racing right after a Grand Prix.

FS Video
Max is a more natural driver. He just jumps in the car and is quick. Max is just about racing. You know, after a Grand Prix. He jumps on his sim racing seat, which is very difficult for me to understand but he likes it.
Helmut Marko explained

Helmut Marko praises Max Verstappen’s ‘unbelievable’ commitment

Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel have established themselves as one of the all-time greats in Formula 1. While the latter retired at the end of 2022 after two mediocre seasons at Aston Martin, Verstappen is hungry as ever to keep winning at the pinnacle of motorsport. The Dutch driver seems set to potentially clinch his fourth title in a row this season.

Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen (Via: Imago)

Helmut Marko pinpointed that both the drivers have their own opinions and were never shy to speak out. The Austrian claimed that like Verstappen, Vettel too was more focused in simply driving a quick car and living his own life. However, Marko applauded Max Verstappen’s unbelievable commitment to the sport. Moreover, the 81-year-old claimed that the Dutch driver doesn’t even need warm-up to be fast.

Both Seb and Max have their own opinion and are not shy to speak out. Seb like Max, just wants to have the best car and he lives his own life. But the commitment of Max is so unbelievable. The greatest advantage of Max is he doesn’t need any warm-up.
Helmut Marko concluded

Certainly, Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel are Red Bull’s most successful drivers. Both had a similar trajectory at Milton Keynes as they went on to win titles at a young age with the team. However, Verstappen still has many years left in his career. As such, it is likely that the Dutch driver will go on to break Vettel’s records at Red Bull.

In case you missed it: