Source: REUTERS/JEAN CARNIEL
[Saba Sports News] Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, when discussing this season’s championship trend, admitted that if Max Verstappen ultimately loses the championship, the key turning point wasn’t in Mexico or Brazil, but during the period after Imola where almost everything went wrong. During that time, Verstappen only secured one podium, losing significant points and his rhythm in the championship fight. Although Verstappen still has a chance to compete for the championship, the 49-point gap to Norris makes it extremely difficult. Verstappen qualified only fifth in Mexico and eventually finished third. He stated then that the Red Bull car “wasn’t fast enough in all conditions.” The difficulties continued in Brazil. Verstappen finished fourth in the sprint race but was eliminated in Q1 during the Grand Prix qualifying. He bluntly said: “Completely clueless why the car was so bad.” It wasn’t until Red Bull thoroughly adjusted the setup, replaced the power unit, and started from the pit lane that he staged a comeback to the podium. However, Norris won both the sprint race and the Grand Prix in Brazil, further widening the points gap between them. Marko admitted that if Norris doesn’t suffer retirements or accidents in the remaining races, Verstappen has almost no chance of winning the world championship.