According to Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen has become a lot more mature as compared to his previous self. The Red Bull advisor also goes on to say that the RB16B will go through several developments in the upcoming few weeks.
Marko said that there will be talks about Verstappen‘s contract and the possible escape clauses.
“Max is more relaxed than he has been in a long time. The only time he wasn’t relaxed was during qualifying [in Portimao] because he was on pole and they took that away from him,” Marko said in an interview with Motorsport-Magazin.com.
The 77-year-old claims that the Verstappen we are seeing right now is his most mature form yet.
An example of this maturity was observed during the free practice on Friday before the Imola Grand Prix.
“He had a problem with the driveshaft. In the past, he would have screamed like a rat. So he’s become a lot more mature,” Marko explained.
2021 car or 2022 car?
The biggest question that fans have raised is when will Red Bull stop their development of the RB16B and put their focus on the 2022 car?
The Milton Keynes-based team, however, thinks that it is right now too early to say.
“Well, we’re certainly not BMW, where [in 2008] they said their plan is to be world champion only next year. We don’t have that mindset. We have plans until the summer holidays and then we will see where we are.” Marko said.
For the time being, Verstappen is second in the world championship, just 14 points behind the leader Lewis Hamilton.
If the gap is too big, the outfit can take a call to move on to next year. It is only in August that a call will be made.
Also, while talking about Verstappen’s commitment, there are clauses in his contract that can make an early departure possible.
Marko responds to Zak Brown
“That’s what Zak Brown, among others, is a specialist in,” Marko takes a jibe at the McLaren boss in response to his earlier statements.
“That doesn’t play a part in the contract situation, but of course it’s important. He has been driving for a relatively long time and has always driven with inferior material.
“Now, thanks to Honda, things have improved. Ferrari also had a superior period, but that was for different reasons. In the hybrid era, the Mercedes engine has been absolutely dominant.” he concluded.
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