Helmut Marko Exposes the Real Reason Behind ‘Max Verstappen’s Resurgence’ After Firing Christian Horner
Helmut Marko revealed the reasons behind Max Verstappen's sudden performance improvement following Christian Horner's axe.
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Christian Horner, Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)
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Red Bull is currently undergoing a phase of massive changes. The team recently fired the longest serving team principal in Christian Horner, following a streak of woeful performances in the team. Laurent Mekies took the reins at Milton Keynes, and the team has been performing significantly better since then.
As such, Helmut Marko pondered over the reasons behind Max Verstappen‘s resurgence following Horner’s exit and Mekies’ entry. Laurent Mekies is a highly educated engineer, as compared to Christian Horner, who has little engineering knowledge.
As such, this has helped Mekies work closely with the engineering team and find out flaws and improvements in the challenger. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda are able to work better with the crew following the Frenchman’s entry.
Helmut Marko insisted that, now under Laurent Mekies, the team had a completely different approach from the engineering side. The team and the drivers were able to work very well together. Marko revealed that Mekies listened to the drivers and their feedback on what they wanted in the car that would help them achieve the best possible results.
It’s a different approach from the engineering side, they’re working very well together, They ask the driver what they want.
Helmut Marko told Sky Sports F1.
Further, Helmut Marko applauded Max Verstappen’s great technical understanding of the sport and Red Bull challenger following Mekies’ entry. Verstappen was clear and confident in his abilities and provided great feedback on what he expected from the car. Marko recalled that under Christian Horner, the chassis had a very small window of positive operation as compared to now.
Very good technical understanding, but it’s more that he tells how he would like to have the car. He has confidence. Before, at some of the races, it was a very small margin where the car was working, and he didn’t have the confidence. And now, the car is to his liking and that keeps his confidence, and of course, he delivers with fantastic lap times.
Helmut Marko added.
Max Verstappen reveals Red Bull ‘not making it easy’ for McLaren to win driver’s title
At its peak, Max Verstappen was more than 100 points behind Oscar Piastri and had little to no hope of contending for the driver’s title. The Dutchman had given up on winning a title in his life ever again.
However, the sudden resurgence has helped Verstappen cut the point deficit to just 40 points in a matter of five races. As such, the 27-year-old is delighted with the comeback and is looking forward to not making life any easier for the McLarens of Lando Norris and Piastri.
Max Verstappen reckoned that a 40-point deficit was still a big gap, but he wasn’t concerned about it. He insisted that he would enjoy himself on track and do the best he could. Verstappen highlighted that even if he doesn’t win the title, Red Bull can be proud of itself for having achieved such a great comeback. Moreover, the team did not make winning the title easy for McLaren, which in itself was a great feat.
It’s still a big gap, but that’s fine. I don’t worry about it. We try to enjoy ourselves and do our best and then we’ll see where we end up. If it doesn’t work, at the very least we can be proud. Everyone thought it would be an easy McLaren title, but at least we’re not making it easy for them.”
Max Verstappen said via Verstappen.com.
Certainly, the 2025 season has been very exciting up until this point. From here onwards, the title battle will continue to cook even further between the top drivers. Max Verstappen does not have much to lose but everything to gain if he manages to win the title. Whereas, Oscar Piastri must hold onto the lead and ensure that he does not commit any more mistakes in the final five races.
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