F1: Verstappen’s teammates must accept they are slower than him – Helmut Marko

Red Bull’s Helmut Marko has discussed some of the difficulties Max Verstappen’s teammates have faced in the last few seasons.

Verstappen has evolved into something of a machine in recent campaigns, comfortably outperforming his teammates since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from Red Bull in 2018.

Sergio Perez has emerged as a capable partner for Verstappen, playing a crucial role in his 2021 title as well as Red Bull’s most recent triumph in the Constructors.

Still, the Mexican driver faces the unenviable challenge of facing Verstappen on a weekly basis, which has occasionally seen him blown away by his teammate’s pace.

In an interview with Car and Driver, Helmut Marko provided insight into the pressures of being on the opposite side of the garage to Verstappen:

Having Max as a teammate is not good for your career. Max is very special. He was trained in a very hard way by his father, but with great success. For example, when he was less than 10 years old, they were in Italy, and as soon as it started raining, all the other drivers went to the cafeteria for coffee or cake. Max had to stay outside, sometimes with frozen fingers, and drive. That’s why he’s so good in the rain. He can adapt immediately.

“You can’t beat Verstappen”

And do teammates see that?

Yes. They compare their cars to his: “Do I have the same material?”

They think, “How can I beat him?”

They can’t, so they try to change the car’s settings or adapt their driving style. Of course you can’t accept that you’re just not as good as he is.

At some point, you have to recognize that there’s someone who is special, and it’s just not possible to beat him.

It’s my job to make them understand that.

Is that cruel? I don’t think so.