Verstappen is 'gradually losing hope' for the 2025 championship, according to Marko.
"I’m trying to lift his spirits."
Dr. Helmut Marko acknowledges that Max Verstappen is gradually losing hope in his pursuit of a fifth consecutive drivers’ world championship. The Red Bull driver appeared unfazed by the FIA penalties he received in Barcelona, which left him in P10, nearly 50 points shy of Oscar Piastri, and close to facing a race ban.
When questioned by the Osterreich newspaper if this indicates that Verstappen is resigning himself to his fate for 2025, Red Bull advisor Marko admitted: "That’s correct. I’m attempting to encourage him because we aren’t giving up just yet. However, something needs to be addressed with the car."
Marko, 82, observed that Verstappen was in good spirits before the Barcelona race, as a new parent to baby Lily, and was optimistic about the Imola car upgrade's performance in Spain. "He was more at ease," Marko confirmed, "until Spain.
"A lot occurred there. They incorrectly fitted him with the wrong tires, he had to relinquish his position despite believing he was completely right, and then there was (Charles) Leclerc’s incident on the straight. At some point, you lose your composure."
Marko dismissed theories suggesting that Verstappen is intentionally trying to activate a contract exit clause, but when questioned about the contentious clash with George Russell, the Austrian conceded: "Max could have managed it more gracefully. Alleged exit clauses seem to be surfacing everywhere now, but that isn’t pertinent at this time," Marko added.
It is reported that Marko met with Verstappen this week in Austria. When asked if the four-time world champion has finally cooled down, he replied: "Yes, but that doesn’t resolve our issue. Our car simply isn’t quick enough. That concerns me more than Max’s actions. We’re still three tenths off McLaren."
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