With continued exploits by Max Verstappen, he has gone on to become Red Bull’s most successful driver by overtaking Sebastian Vettel’s win tally. With his win in the 2023 Spanish GP, the Dutchman has accumulated 40 race wins, compared to Vettel’s 38. And as Verstappen continues to be the unstoppable force in the sport, Helmut Marko, as per OE24, hails him as the most superior force Red Bull ever had, even above the driver who gave them four titles.
Verstappen’s extraordinary display is nothing new. In 2022, the Dutchman quashed another record held by Seb. He claimed a record 15 race wins last year to hold the most F1 race victories in a calendar year
Vettel was a 4-time F1 world champion, thanks to his consecutive titles with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013. On the other hand, Verstappen is yet to prolong his title success this long, but for the Red Bull chief, he has already done enough.
Helmut Marko claims Max Verstappen is from another planet
Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko has always been an admirer of Red Bull’s golden boy. And the Austrian rates Vertsppen’s success with Red Bull is bigger than what Vettel achieved.
Marko told OE24, “You also saw how Max managed to do the fastest lap on old tires at the end. He is, as they say, from another planet right now. He achieved a superiority that we have never had before.”
The Austrian had predicted the Dutchman would be the next Ayrton Senna of F1 when Verstappen debuted in 2015. But, he was ridiculed back then for such a bold claim about an inexperienced driver. But who would be laughing when once again Verstappen will win yet another Grand Prix this season, which most probably will be the next race, and match Senna’s win tally?
Christian Horner compares Verstappen and Vettel’s titles
Like Helmut Marko, Christian Horner also believes Max Verstappen is a generational talent that was never before seen in the sport. Although Horner agrees Vettel’s win in 2010 put Red Bull on the F1 map, he claims Verstappen’s title win after an epic 2021 duel with Lewis Hamilton was “the biggest championship” Red Bull has ever won.
Verstappen 🆚 Vettel pic.twitter.com/WiHBLib4Ej
— O Paparazzi da Formula 1 📸 (@PaparazziF1) June 6, 2023
Verstappen, in previous years, repeatedly showed that he had the potential to destroy his competition in a competitive car. He is fearless and has already achieved so much before reaching his peak. And at this rate, it wouldn’t be long before he surpasses Vettel’s total career wins tally.
Lucky for Red Bull, the Dutchman remains committed to them until 2028. If the Milton-Keynes-based team keeps its rivals at bay, we could see the 25-year-old achieve some unprecedented success before he ends his time in the sport.
