Helmut Marko labels Lewis Hamilton as a ‘master’ of reading races and claims his arch-rival Max Verstappen is now on par with him

Max Verstappen leads the drivers’ standings while Lewis Hamilton trails in P4.

Helmut Marko labels Lewis Hamilton as a ‘master’ of reading races and claims his arch-rival Max Verstappen is now on par with him

Max Verstappen (Image credit: NDTV Sports), Helmut Marko (Image credit: The Sports Rush) and Lewis Hamilton (Image credit: Sky Sports)

Max Verstappen stands on the brink of matching Sebastian Vettel’s nine straight wins in 2013. Without Checo narrowing the Red Bull divide, Verstappen might soon shatter that record. Despite Lewis Hamilton‘s efforts this season, his Mercedes can’t keep up with Verstappen. However, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko still holds seven-time world champion Hamilton in high regard.

Helmut Marko emphasized that Max Verstappen’s capabilities would place him in a league of his own across all cars. Marko clarified that the 2020 and 2023 versions of Max were incomparable, aside from the shared name. Verstappen’s enhanced sovereignty and commanding performance marked a distinct evolution, making comparisons irrelevant.

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He also mentioned that, in his opinion, the master of reading races had always been Lewis Hamilton, especially regarding how he managed his tires. Marko added that Verstappen was now on par with the Brit in this aspect, if not better, due to his superior basic speed. He further praised his Red Bull driver, noting that there had been an incredible maturing process.

“The Max from 2020 cannot be compared to the Max from 2023 – apart from the fact that the name is the same. For me, the master of reading races was always [Lewis] Hamilton, how he divided his tires. And Max is now on par with that. If not even better, because he is better at basic speed. There has been an incredible maturing process,” Marko told Motorsports Total.Com.

Also read: Max Verstappen unveils the ‘key factor’ behind Red Bull’s dominance

Helmut Marko suggests Max Verstappen’s early exit from the sport

Max Verstappen (Image credit: PlanetF1)

Max Verstappen arrived as Formula One’s youngest-ever competitor at just 17 years old for Red Bull’s sister team Torro Rosso. The Dutchman even became F1’s youngest points scorer at 18 years and 228 days. However, after eight years of experience in the sport, Helmut Marko reckons Max might not be racing forever.

He compared Max’s approach to other drivers, stating that Max had a distinct mindset. He suggested that, eventually, Max might decide to conclude his racing career with a sense of fulfillment. He said that someday Max would come and show his thanks, indicating that he was finished with racing. “It’s hard to say how long he would have the motivation to fight in an AlphaTauri. Max is different,” “One day he will come and say: ‘Thank you, that’s it,’” Marko said.

Red Bull’s dominance in Formula 1 is unmistakable. The team has claimed victory in every race of the 2023 season and nearly a year’s worth of Grand Prix events, with just one exception. The sole interruption in Red Bull’s winning streak, spanning from the French Grand Prix in late July of the previous year, was George Russell‘s triumph at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix.

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