Between the present and threats of retirement
Despite the fact that motorsport has been his sole purpose in life since childhood, Helmut Marko believes that Max Verstappen will not have as lengthy a career in Formula 1 as veterans like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, who even today, despite their age, seem to enjoy themselves like kids and continue to challenge much younger drivers. Unlike those two, the Dutch star has always expressed that he would be willing to hang up his helmet if he no longer felt the desire to compete at a certain level or handle the pressure of a sport increasingly in the spotlight.
“Max is not like Alonso or Hamilton,” said Helmut Marko, one of the first to believe in the talent of the Dutchman, in a recent interview with ORF. – “They will drive as long as their physical condition allows them to participate. Yes, Verstappen is very interested in winning, but whether he has four, five, or six titles, that’s not his main focus. He wants to enjoy himself and be excited about his sport. He wants an environment where he feels comfortable. That’s just how he is.” – the Austrian former professional racing driver and a current director of the Red Bull F1 team explained.
Over the years, many have harshly criticized Max Verstappen’s extremely aggressive driving style toward his rivals, often deemed unfair and over the top. The most recent glaring examples were his duels with Lando Norris in Austria and Lewis Hamilton in Hungary, with Max Verstappen facing heavy criticism on both occasions.
“He’s been accused of being very tough and a bit unfair,” added Helmut Marko. “He only did what’s allowed by the regulations. He changed lines and defended them forcefully. We know he’s a tough driver. That’s something the public wants to see, and I think in general we need to return to the old British racing philosophy: ‘Let them race,’ and not dictate how to behave. It’s clear you shouldn’t misbehave, but not with such narrow interpretations.” – Helmut Marko concluded.
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