These are the only two drivers who can compete with Verstappen, says Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko

So far this Formula 1 season has been dominated by Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver has won six races out of eight so far, and his and the Austrian team’s advisor Helmut Marko perceives the enormous strength of his team. He has named two drivers who can currently compete with him.

At times he contradicts himself, at others he seems to make statements as it suits him. But on the matter of Verstappen’s dominance, he says he is clear.

In fact, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is convinced that the Dutch driver is currently the best in the entire starting field. He said these words in an interview with OE24, naming two other drivers who are capable of matching the reigning champion.

And even given the 80-year-old Austrian’s recent comments, it’s actually no surprise that Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Pérez is not among those drivers.

The Mexican rider has started the season brilliantly. He finished second in Bahrain, then won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He finished fifth in Melbourne, Australia, but then won in Azerbaijan, where he picked up 33 points.

He then finished second in Miami, but the man nicknamed “Checo” has been under pressure for the last three races. In Monaco he did not score a point, and in Spain and Canada he also dropped in performance, finishing fourth and sixth.

Despite this, Pérez is still second in the Drivers’ Championship, with 126 points. The gap between his teammates in the dominant Red Bull was thus becoming glaring. Pérez is making unnecessary mistakes in his attempt to match Verstappen, while the Dutchman is in a league of his own.

Verstappen’s only competition? Alonso and Hamilton

First place in the drivers’ championship, 195 points, six races won out of eight, two second places in the other two. And last but not least, a clear shot at a third consecutive title. This is Verstappen’s current record, which is frightening his rivals.

It’s hard to find competition, but Marko managed to name two drivers, as we wrote above. Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.

“At best, they can keep up with him. Those three are simply the best, but even among them Max stands out,” Marko is clear.

F1, OE24, GP Blog