Verstappen the best F1 driver Red Bull has ever had - Marko

Verstappen clinched his maiden F1 world title last month after beating Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi when a controversial Safety Car restart set up a final-lap shootout to decide the outcome of the world championship. 

In doing so, the 24-year-old Dutchman became Red Bull’s first world champion since Sebastian Vettel in 2013. 

Vettel claimed four consecutive world titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013 before Mercedes’ own spell of dominance began at the start of the V6 turbo hybrid era the following year. 

And according to Marko, Verstappen is the most accomplished driver Red Bull has ever had, surpassing its most successful talent Vettel. 

“Yes, without a doubt he is,” Marko is quoted by The Independent when asked if Verstappen is the best driver he has worked with. 

Explaining what makes Verstappen stand out the most, Marko pointed to his natural ability and inherent raw pace. 

“He doesn’t need a warm-up [lap],” Marko said. “If it rains somewhere, the others do five or eight laps. Then Max goes out and sets the fastest time on the first lap.

“Or Jeddah – nobody knew the track. The others were driving again, Max goes out…bang! Three times [fastest sector]. That is one of his fascinating qualities.”

Verstappen has racked up 20 victories since bursting onto the F1 scene at the age of 17, with half of those wins coming during his title-winning campaign last season. 

He famously was victorious on his Red Bull debut at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix to become the youngest driver ever to win an F1 race, breaking Vettel’s previous record in the process. 

Vettel amassed 38 grand prix victories with Red Bull before he left to join Ferrari in 2015.