Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has claimed that Max Verstappen proved who the “real champion” in Formula 1 is with his comeback win at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Verstappen rose to the occasion in treacherous conditions in Brazil as he stormed through from 18th place on the grid to move a step nearer to claiming a fourth title.
The Dutchman’s return to the podium’s top step for the first time since the Spanish Grand Prix in June coincided with nearest rival Lando Norris slipping to sixth place.
Norris had lined up on pole position, but multiple mistakes contributed to the plight down the order that has all but ended his slim championship chances this season.
Verstappen’s eighth win of this campaign extended his lead to 62 points with three rounds remaining, meaning he can retain his crown next time around in Las Vegas.
Marko believes that Verstappen’s faultless showing at Interlagos compared with Norris’ error-strewn outing highlighted the level between the top two in the standings.
“All this nonsense that has been spread and then this,” Marko told De Telegraaf. “Max was flying. He was faultless and we couldn’t say that about Lando Norris.
“Whether this is a giant step towards the title? No, I think this is the title. Here you could see who the real champion is.”
Marko reveals bet on Verstappen comeback
Marko’s confidence in Verstappen’s prowess in the wet even saw him make a bet with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase that Red Bull would be celebrating a podium.
However, the reigning F1 champion even surpassed Marko’s prediction as a well-timed stoppage helped him to seize the lead on Lap 43 and register a 19-second win.
“With Max’s race engineer I had bet that Max would get on the podium,” the Austrian added. “GP didn’t think so.
“We had put $100 on it. But I said only a podium and no victory. Max always wants to do better again.”
Ecclestone lauds Verstappen success
Meanwhile, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner divulged that ex-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone called him to voice his admiration towards Verstappen’s exploits.
Asked whether Verstappen is the greatest F1 has seen, Horner told media including Motorsport Week: “I think it’s difficult to make those calls about generation to generation.
“Bernie rang me after the race and said, I’ve seen all the greats, but that’s one of the very best I’ve ever seen.
“He’s a bit older than I am and has seen a bit more, so high credit from someone like him.”
READ MORE – Red Bull: Max Verstappen ‘answered critics’ with Brazil F1 win
