Helmut Marko Declares Max Verstappen ‘Really Relaxed’ Amid Race Ban Threat

Red Bull Motorsport Consultant Dr. Helmut Marko asserted that Max Verstappen has learnt to remain calm in Formula 1 despite Spanish GP clash.

Helmut Marko Declares Max Verstappen ‘Really Relaxed’ Amid Race Ban Threat

Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)

Max Verstappen is undoubtedly one of the best drivers in F1 history. The 27-year-old has established himself as an all-time great as he dominated the sport in recent years. Despite Verstappen facing the risk of a race ban in the next two races, Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmet Marko insisted that the Dutch driver was not worried.

The four-time world champion is infamous for his on-track aggression. During the early years of his career, Max Verstappen was seen as a driver who would lose his composure at certain occasions, similar to his recent Spanish GP fallout. However, Marko reckons that the Red Bull star has matured over the course of his career.

The 82-year-old cited Max Verstappen’s brilliant drive at the 2024 Brazilian GP. The Dutch driver pulled off an incredible drive in treacherous conditions, allowing him to win from P17. Helmut Marko asserted that Verstappen remained calm and took less risks during the race.

Last year the race in Brazil in the wet, from 17th to first – he’s getting faster with less risk and more calm.

Helmut Marko said on BBC’s The Inside Track

The Austrian further highlighted that the 27-year-old is now at a level where he does not need to push himself at every lap. Rather, Max Verstappen is able to remain relaxed even if he is going at his limit. These comments are quite interesting at a time when Verstappen is just one penalty point away from a race ban. Hopefully, the Dutchman can keep his composure in Canada this weekend.

He does not have to push every lap, he is really relaxed, but he’s not pushing, or it doesn’t look like he’s on the limit. But when it matters, he delivers.

Helmut Marko added

Helmut Marko pinpoints Max Verstappen’s big strength in F1

Max Verstappen has performed at the peak of his career in the ground-effect era. The Dutch driver has shattered several records and annihilated the competition. Albeit, 2025 remains Verstappen’s biggest challenge in the past couple of seasons.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Helmut Marko asserted that another key advantage Verstappen has, was his ability to adapt. The four-time world champion doesn’t need to familiarize himself with track conditions before going for a hot lap, even under wet conditions. While his rivals often need three to four laps. Marko reckoned that this indeed was a big strength that Verstappen had over the rest of the paddock.

He’s still developing – but one thing already in the beginning, he doesn’t need any warm-up or knowledge. If it’s wet, he goes out and he’s two or three seconds ahead of the others, and then it takes them three or four laps, and they can match Max’s time. That is one of his really [big] strengths.

Helmut Marko noted

Certainly, Max Verstappen’s brilliance cannot go unnoticed. Even during a difficult 2025 campaign, where McLaren seems to have an edge, the reigning world champion has managed to win two races. Though, Verstappen has a lot of work to do if he wants to defend the title this year, the Dutchman first needs a couple of clean weekends to get the risk ban threat away for good. Thus, fans would be hoping for a strong yet clean showing from the Red Bull star in Montreal.

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