With Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko brought two exceptional talents to Formula 1 who were quite different—the Austrian reveals why
For more than two decades, Helmut Marko was responsible for promoting young talent at Red Bull. The 82-year-old Austrian, who even ran his own team in the Formula 3000 championship for many years, always demonstrated a keen eye for young, up-and-coming talent.
Over time, not all drivers from Red Bull’s junior program made it to the premier class, the podium, or even the world championship title. However, with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, Marko brought two of the most outstanding talents of recent years to Formula 1.
Although both Red Bull drivers have “dominated” the premier class for years, they differed significantly in their approach. “Vettel took a more analytical approach, spending hours and hours with the engineers to get the most out of the car,” Marko reveals to Münchner Merkur/tz.
“Max relied more on his natural instincts in the beginning, but today he has matured into a driver who knows exactly what he wants and can also lead a team,” adds the Austrian, who has a very good relationship with his protégé. Verstappen is “special. Super fast, super talented, and extremely focused.”
Max Verstappen’s character “is extremely rare”
Marko brought the Dutchman into Formula 1 at the age of just 17. The Austrian also played a decisive role with Sebastian Vettel: he had a major influence on the Heppenheim native’s signing and contributed significantly to him winning a total of four world championship titles with Red Bull.
Verstappen has also celebrated four world championship titles with the Bulls and a total of 71 Grand Prix victories. Vettel has achieved 53 victories in the course of his career. This means that both former Red Bull juniors are currently among the four most successful Formula 1 drivers in history, not least thanks to Helmut Marko.
The Austrian accompanied many talented drivers from an early age, some of them already in karting. But his relationship with Verstappen is special to him. “I have never had a closer connection with any other driver,” says Marko. “He has steadfast values that I would only attribute to people who also have a good character. This combination is extremely rare.”
