Helmut Marko expects two drivers to challenge Max Verstappen for F1 2022 title

Helmut Marko expects two drivers to challenge Max Verstappen for F1 2022 title

Helmut Marko

Red Bull Chief Advisor Helmut Marko recently awarded 2021 Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen with a bumper new contract. The Contract extends till 2028 and sees the Dutchman become the joint highest earning driver on the grid alongside rival Lewis Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fought wheel-to-wheel in a thrilling duel which ended with Verstappen clinching his maiden title on the last race of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi. But according to Marko, in 2022, Max will face a threat from two other drivers on the grid.

In an interview with RTL Marko named the Ferrari Duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz as potential contenders for the 2022 Formula One title. He said Ferrari has advanced a lot from their 2019 slump and they have shown real pace and power in the Pre-season test in Bahrain.

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Sainz, Leclerc good enough to challenge Maz Verstappen

Scuderia Ferrari drivers Charles LeClerc(on the left) and Carlos Sainz Jr. (on the right)
Scuderia Ferrari drivers Charles LeClerc(on the left) and Carlos Sainz Jr. (on the right)

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc had shown real pace finishing P2 and P1 in the opening days of the Pre-season test and P6 on the final day. Meanwhile, Teammate Carlos Sainz finished not far off with a P3, P5 and P7 on the 3 days respectively. The duo completed 439 laps of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as Ferrari completed the highest no of laps during the Test.

“The first balance of the test in Barcelona was that Ferrari overtook Mercedes and Red Bull,” Marko pointed out. “They are teams that have different technical concepts and in Bahrain, the fine-tuning will be decisive. In terms of engine power, it seems that Ferrari is now the best.”

Ferrari finished 3rd in the Constructors championship following their worst finish in the 2019 season. The Italian team looks resurgent after focusing on the 2022 car since last year and new regulations in place could pose a threat to the Red Bull-Mercedes domination.

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