Helmut Marko: Max Verstappen faster than Lewis Hamilton even with a “mediocre car”

Max Verstappen is described as faster than Lewis Hamilton, even with an inferior car. This is the verdict given by Helmut Marko of Red Bull following Lewis Hamilton’s first test with Ferrari.

The transfer of the seven-time world champion from Mercedes to Ferrari could rekindle his title rivalry with Max Verstappen.

Helmut Marko told Motorsport-Total: « Max is not only the fastest, but also the best in Formula 1 in terms of the overall package. He manages to extract 0.1 to 0.2 seconds per lap from the car that no one else can find. »

« Lewis Hamilton still has the speed, but over an entire season? I doubt it. Even if he has a good Ferrari and we’re only building a mediocre Red Bull, I’d bet on Max. »

Helmut Marko also gave advice to Lewis Hamilton before the start of the 2025 season: « Be careful not to fall back into a negative spiral, as was the case with Mercedes. »

The return of the Hamilton vs Verstappen rivalry?

Lewis Hamilton has not been able to regularly compete with Max Verstappen at the front of the F1 pack since the infamous Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021.

This controversial race gave Max Verstappen his first Formula 1 world championship title, and he has now won four consecutively.

Although Red Bull’s dominance in F1 diminished last year, particularly with the rise of McLaren, Max Verstappen did what was necessary in the early races to secure the drivers’ title. Ferrari’s progress last season gives Lewis Hamilton reasons to hope.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz won a total of five Grand Prix in 2024, and Ferrari finished ahead of Red Bull in the constructors’ standings.

The adaptation of Lewis Hamilton to his new car will test Helmut Marko’s bold statement.