Helmut Marko highlights the changes in Max Verstappen since making Red Bull debut in 2016
Follow Us
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen was crowned the F1 world champion last weekend at the Abu Dhabi GP in the most thrilling fashion. The Dutchman was surely rated as one of the most promising talents in F1 history, but he has gone on to prove his talent and claim the F1 title, defeating Lewis Hamilton.
Red Bull advisor, Helmut Marko outlined the key changes in Max Verstappen’s personality and attitude to racing since his debut with team in 2016. Marko explained that the 24 year old is not as aggressive as he was in 2016, when all he wanted was to be the fastest under all circumstances.
Marko added that Max Verstappen was rather impatient during the free practice sessions, when the back-markers did not move quickly enough. His anger affected his performance on the track, although he is much more calmer in the recent past.
“In the early years, Max wanted to be the fastest at all times and under all circumstances. He has now learned to dose it and deliver it if it is really necessary. The discrepancy is that he already showed that maturity during his very first race for Red Bull,” Marko said as quoted by RacingNews365.
“Another important difference is, when we had a problem during free practice a few years ago, Max would explode and yell through the pit box. He sometimes took that impatience with him on the track, for example, if a backmarker did not move quickly enough,” he added.
“Now Max is much calmer. He performs consistently and at an exceptionally high level. He is truly an extraordinary driver,” Marko continued.
Max Verstappen is calm and thrives under pressure: Helmut Marko
The 2021 season was one of the most intense seasons in F1 history, and as such, the pressure on Max Verstappen would be really huge. However, he never let the pressure affect his driving, and instead fought Lewis Hamilton like a true warrior.
“The coolness with which he has tackled this year is indeed impressive. Nervous is the wrong word with Max anyway. He does feel a certain pressure, but he can keep it under control,” Marko said.
Helmut Marko stated that like every sportsperson out there, Max Verstappen does feel the pressure. But it does not affect his driving or performance in any manner. Moreover, he does not show his emotions which is one of his strongest traits.
“At times there is definitely tension but, for that, we have a very good team and his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase also has a very good relationship with him. He also has the authority to sometimes clearly tell Max which way we are going,” Marko continued.
“So yes, Max is only human after all, and you definitely notice the tension. But nervousness in the sense that it influences his performance or his approach, no, you can’t see that in him,” he added.
Also Read: Karting Champion prefers Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel over Max Verstappen
Stay Updated!
Nirmit Mehta
(2425 Articles Published)