With the 2024 F1 season winding down to a close, the title fight between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen is intensifying. Amid this, Red Bull team advisor, Helmut Marko has been taking a few off-the-cuff digs at Norris.
Most recently, the Austrian former racing driver was quoted as saying the #4 driver lacked the mental fortitude to go against the likes of Verstappen — prompting a pushback from McLaren boss, Zak Brown who called his comments inappropriate and in bad taste.
On the most recent episode of the Red Flags podcast, former Haas F1 boss, Guenther Steiner was quizzed by the guests about Marko‘s digs. The hosts asked the Italian-American why Marko feels the need to always pass remarks about his rivals.
Steiner explained, “He’s hoping that he can help his guy. I understand what he’s saying. So I think for sure he tries to rattle Lando. So I think for sure he tries to rattle Lando. ut all the others said, why he cannot shut up? I think we should actually try to get him on the podcast that we could ask him that one.”
Marko’s criticism might have been getting to Norris‘ head, however. The British driver finished behind the Dutchman in both, the Sprint and the Grand Prix in Austin — and also got a penalty for his aggressive defense against the #1 driver.
Marko believes that the Briton is mentally weak. That said, Steiner himself doesn’t buy into the hypothesis.
Despite Marko’s comments, Norris is fit enough to take on Verstappen
In his now controversial interview, Marko alluded to Norris’ pre-race rituals such as not having a meal to highlight that Norris lacked the mental grit to go up against someone like Verstappen. But Steiner disagrees with Marko’s comments.
“I don’t think Lando is [mentally weak]. I know other people who before a race or a big performance cannot eat, you know,” he added. Having said that, Norris does seem to be making mistakes at a more frequent rate than the Dutchman.
Steiner is of the opinion that the deficit between the two drivers does not boil down to the fact that Norris is not mentally strong. Rather, he feels Verstappen is just naturally a more confident driver.
