Marko: In Baku we'll understand what allowed us to win in Monza.

      In an interview with OE24, Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko spoke about Verstappen’s race at the Nürburgring and the chances of success in Baku…

      Question: Helmut, did you follow Max Verstappen’s run in the Porsche at the Nürburgring?

      Helmut Marko: Out of the corner of my eye. Thank God he complied with all their licensing rules, but it’s just German bureaucracy. I was positive from the very beginning. It’s great that a driver from the closed world of Formula 1 is moving into real motorsport.

      Question: You yourself raced on the Nordschleife…

      Helmut Marko: Yes, I know it quite well. I took part in various races there, up to the legendary “72 Hours.” I still remember some corners well, and I enjoy discussing them with Max now. But he knew the Nordschleife beforehand, having driven it thousands of times on a simulator.

      Question: Back to Formula 1. After Verstappen’s win in Monza you said the car is now fast enough to fight for victory on almost any track…

      Helmut Marko: Not any. For example, Singapore doesn’t suit us; slow corners are not our strong point. But I’m eager to find out whether we can fight for victory in Baku.

      Question: What role did the new floor, so praised in Monza, play in your optimism?

      Helmut Marko: It’s only one element among many. The main thing is that everything works properly. In Baku we’ll understand what allowed us to win in Monza — whether the Italian track simply didn’t suit McLaren, or whether we caught up with them.

      Question: And what about the Laurent Mekies factor? You said Christian Horner’s successor managed to shake up the team…

      Helmut Marko: That also plays a role. Mekies has a different approach; his technical experience is a big advantage. There’s a trend to appoint people with technical backgrounds as team principals. That works at McLaren too. Ferrari should also benefit from that at some point.

      Question: And Mercedes with Toto Wolff?

      Helmut Marko: They have a different approach. Toto has his people, and that works well too.

      Question: On October 8 you’ll be sitting at the same table as Toto at the “Night of Sport” in Vienna’s Stadthalle. Won’t Gerhard Berger, who is also receiving an award, have to act as a mediator between you?

      Helmut Marko: Toto and I are competitors, but not enemies.

      Question: Last time you noted that you’re doing better with rookie Hajjar than Wolff is with Antonelli…

      Helmut Marko: Obviously Hajjar is having a better first season in Formula 1, and that with very few test kilometres. But both are still very young; we’ll see how they progress.

      Question: Has it already been decided that Hajjar will become Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull Racing next year?

      Helmut Marko: No, we’re in no hurry. We’ll closely look at the next races and then make a decision.