Helmut Marko: "Max is Max"

Red Bull motorsport advisor has dismissed comparisons between former Red Bull star Sebastian Vettel and the energy drink brand's latest prospect Max Verstappen.

The Austrian said that the brand wasn't interested in cloning, insisting that the two drivers are their own people.

"Max is Max," Marko told Sport Bild. "He's not a new Vettel. Each driver has its own personality. We are not concerned with cloning."

The pair were both given their Formula One chances with Red Bull and both won a Grand Prix in their second full season of competition. 

After making a one off appearance for BMW at the 2007 US Grand Prix, Vettel got his F1 break with Scuderia Toro Rosso, winning the 2008 Italian Grand PRix before moving the Red Bull and securing four consecutive championship titles.

Verstappen meanwhile was announced as a Toro Rosso driver just six days after joining Red Bull, part way though his first season of car racing.

After finishing his first year of Grand Prix racing 12th in the standings, the Dutch driver competed in four races for Toro Rosso this year, before moving to Red Bull just before the Spanish Grand Prix - a race he won.

Red Bull Confident for 2017

Looking ahead to 2017 and the rule changes that will come into Formula One, Helmut Marko is confident his team can be front runners.

"Whenever major rule changes take place Red Bull is strong. The profound changes, the improved performance of Renault and Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo as a duo, I see us as the main challenger to Mercedes for 2017," he said. "This lineup remains intact at least until the end of 2018. Max has exceeded my expectations and not only by gains in Spain. Mentally he is much older than 18 years, he knows exactly what he wants."

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Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 3,457
  • Podiums 127
  • Grand Prix 236
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
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