The blunt words of their house consultant, Helmut Marko, have laid the internal struggles within the Red Bull team bare. With just six stages of the world championship completed, Red Bull has left an indelible mark on the competition. Leaving little doubt as to who will claim the title, albeit fans hopefully wait for the end of 2023.

The Milton Keynes-based Austrian team has secured a flawless victory record, with four consecutive wins, positioning them as the clear frontrunners. In the constructors’ standings, Red Bull has already doubled the points of its nearest rival, Aston Martin (249-120), while Max Verstappen leads the pack with 144 points, followed by teammate Sergio Perez with 105 and Fernando Alonso with 93.

Verstappen’s outstanding performance in the qualifying round at Monte Carlo correctly emphasized the undeniable superiority of both driver and car. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, brimming with praise for his champion, stated, “A few years ago, I compared him to Senna and faced ridicule. Now, the naysayers are running out of arguments. Max has not only matured as a driver but also as an individual. His extraordinary qualifying lap in Monaco is reminiscent of Senna. Max excels in all conditions.”

Marko also admitted, as quoted by Formula Passion, “Max never really saw any danger in Pérez.” As per him, there seems to be no question of an exciting title fight for now. But as this Michael Schumacher quote goes: “I’ve always believed that you should never, ever give up and you should always keep fighting even when there’s only a slightest chance.” It may just be what Checo needs to believe in.

Read More: “The Mythical End”: 17 Months After Bottling His Epic Feat, Max Verstappen’s Monaco Heroics Tipped to Be the Much-Needed Closure 

Sergio Perez Remains Resolute in Pursuit of F1 World Title Despite Monaco Setback

Sergio Perez still holds a firm belief that he can clinch his first Formula 1 world title this season, despite what anyone says. Not abandoning any hope just yet, Pérez told NU.nl, “The speed is there, and that is the most crucial aspect. If I had been half a second or a full second behind after that crash, I would have been more concerned. We possess the speed to recover from this.” He added, referring to the disappointing race weekend in Monaco. “I take it weekend by weekend. So, next Sunday, I have to showcase the best of myself and ensure victory.”

Pérez genuinely believes that he can thwart Verstappen’s quest for a third world title this year, asserting that the difference between the two Red Bull drivers has been marginal throughout the season. “Max and I are evenly matched. Sometimes I perform better, sometimes a bit worse. Max is probably the toughest teammate one can have. He is currently in form, but I firmly believe that I can outperform him over an entire season,” declared the combative six-time Grand Prix winner.

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The Mexican driver also expressed remorse towards his team, acknowledging the weight of his performance on them. “It’s tough, but I have to accept it. I’ve taken responsibility and apologized to the team. It felt like I had let everyone down,” concluded Pérez.