Helmut Marko praises Max Verstappen's driving

Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has come out in support of Max Verstappen after yet more criticism of the Dutrch driver.

The teenager came under scrutiny for his defensive driving against Lewis Hamilton, but Dr, Marko thinks Verstappen should be praised, not criticised.


"At 19 years old, Max is already able to hold off a triple world champion. And on tyres that were five laps older."

Marko also told the Swiss newspaper Blick: "With two laps to go, Max is not going to put on the turn signal."

Verstappen agreed with his superior, saying: "I will not just open the door and say 'Come past'.

"Of course I saw him move, so I closed the door. I think he was far enough back to see what I was doing," said the Dutchman.

Mercedes initially appealed to the FIA over the move, only to backtrack later. However, it is thought that FIA race director Charlie Whiting did talk to Verstappen in private.

Grosjean definitely had/has an issue with Max since last year because of this exact problem, and Maldonado and Massa werent exactly pleased with him either last year, if memory serves me. And guys like Hamilton is far from impotent when attacking, as Im sure you know he has proven several times, ... [Read more]

  • 1
  • Oct 11 2016 - 14:01

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  • Really? Why every time again have the top teams problems with the driving style of Max where other teams in the midfield last year never had a issue with Max. No one and I mean no one at all (Vettel, Raikonen, Rosberg and Hamilton) did ever put a dummy on Max to pas him. Now that's should be the real question that needs a answer. Is it a defending error ore is it actually impotence of the attacker?

    • + 0
    • Oct 11 2016 - 13:27
    • Grosjean definitely had/has an issue with Max since last year because of this exact problem, and Maldonado and Massa werent exactly pleased with him either last year, if memory serves me. And guys like Hamilton is far from impotent when attacking, as Im sure you know he has proven several times, e.g when he started last a while ago when he took all of those engines and still finished well within the points.

      • + 1
      • Oct 11 2016 - 14:01
    • Last year there were also several issues.
      It's now more in the media because the big boys in F1 have a problem with Max's moves. the biggest issue is that Max drives a car which makes overtaking a lot more difficult. Last year they were in most cases able to overtake after several corners or laps. Now they don't manage to overtake so easy anymore and that bothers the guys in front. They are not used to the aggressive style Max defends. In times of Senna. Mansel and even Schumi, this never was an issue.

      • + 1
      • Oct 12 2016 - 10:52

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Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 3,420
  • Podiums 126
  • Grand Prix 232
  • 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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