Red Bull were Forced to ‘Stabilise’ Verstappen

After Max Verstappen had a less-than-perfect start to the 2018 season, Red Bull were forced to step in. Motorsport advisor Helmut Marko admitted that the move was necessary for the good of the team.

Fortunately, back-to-back podiums seems to have ensured that Verstappen’s season is back on track.

After the French Grand Prix he hit out at the criticism drivers receive for honest errors. He referred specifically to claims that he needed to change his style.

Marko said that Verstappen’s drives in Canada and France were evidence that he “is disciplined and yet can drive very fast”. Max now enters the races with “a little less willingness to take risks, but not much less”.

He said: “The problem was that Max put too much pressure on himself.

“Suddenly he made mistakes with a car he could drive in front, which he did not make last year when his car was far from so good.

“We’ve been through all variations: how can we stabilise Max?

“It was more a coincidence than a programmed action that nobody was there in Montreal [where Verstappen was without his full entourage for the first time].

“But this is the Max we’re expecting now. France was a great weekend without any mistakes.”

Marko also said that Verstappen created his own problems because he “wants too much”.

For example, in Monaco, Red Bull was the dominant force and Ricciardo won from pole. Meanwhile, Verstappen fought his way into the points after starting last because of a practice crash.

Marko said that it was a needless incident since he was the quickest driver. All he was doing was chasing a faster time in a practice session.

“That’s exactly what he needs to learn: you won’t win a championship just because you’re ahead in every practice session,” said Marko. “On the other hand, we’re glad he’s so unruly.

“It’s easier to get him [to calm] down than to build a not so fast or aggressive driver in that direction.”

“The aggressiveness and the fighting spirit make him stand out,” said Marko. “That’s why I always defended him.”

“In Austria he will be joined by 18,000 Dutchmen – probably even more after second place in France,”.

“He has a cult status in his home country and Belgium. Dealing with this at the age of 20 is not quite so easy.”