Helmut Marko Reveals Winning Ridiculous Bet Against Max Verstappen’s Engineer at Mexican GP
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L-R: Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko, Gianpiero Lambiase | Image Courtesy: Imago
At the heart of intense races and roaring engines, unexpected bets sometimes unfold behind the scenes. Helmut Marko recently shared a wager he made during the Mexican Grand Prix, highlighting the unpredictability and excitement that accompanies the world of motorsports.
Both Ferrari’s out-qualified Max Verstappen. However, he showcased an impeccable launch, weaving between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, seizing the inside track at the Turn 1 braking zone after an 811m sprint. Verstappen’s proactive approach in collaborating with his team, including race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, had led to significant improvements in addressing the earlier start challenges. Yet Marko, against all odds, was undeterred in his belief, a scene that saw a collision involving Leclerc and Verstappen’s colleague, Sergio Perez.
Helmut Marko’s bet on Max Verstappen’s start
Detailing his audacious bet with Lambiase, Marko said to De Telegraaf, “I had already bet with his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase that he would be first in the first corner. And I won!”
Marko reveals he had a bet with GP that Max would be P1 by turn 1
“I had already bet with his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase that he would be first in the first corner. And I won.”
[@telegraaf] #F1 pic.twitter.com/Girf4ox6Ys— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) October 31, 2023
Elaborating on the situation, he added, “Had it not been for the red flag, I genuinely believe our lead would’ve been even more pronounced.”
Upon being acquainted with Marko’s remarks, the celebrated 51-time Grand Prix champion Verstappen delved into his ongoing efforts to refine his starts. He attributed his success to enhanced procedures, better comprehension of tire grip, and optimal clutch settings, acknowledging the intricacies of the process.
Formula 1 enthusiasts are no strangers to the unpredictable twists and turns that characterize the sport. A recent highlight from the racing tracks of Mexico saw Sergio Perez, drawing parallels with Max Verstappen’s 2021 race start.
Sergio Perez echoes Max Verstappen’s 2021 Mexico start in recent race
An X from “Dan’s DRS Zone” pointed out the uncanny resemblance between the two racers’ starts in Mexico, albeit two years apart. Accompanied by a video that showcases both instances, the tweet remarked, “Checo really tried to be him.”
Max Verstappen’s 2021 race start in Mexico vs. Sergio Perez’s 2023 race start
Checo really tried to be him. pic.twitter.com/MeOMa6atXR
— Dan’s DRS Zone (@F1GuyDan) October 30, 2023
The video attached to the X serves as a side-by-side comparison, and the similarities are striking. Albeit the touch-and-fly with Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari.
Watch This Story | Max Verstappen Wittily Responds to Backlash for 2021 Championship Win
Both racers, renowned for their tenacity and determination, have given fans multiple memorable moments on the track. This particular comparison, however, adds another layer to the competitive spirit that exists within the Red Bull Racing team.
Whether it’s a conscious emulation or a mere coincidence, remains to the beholder.
Written by:
Edited by:
Akash Pandhare