Dr. Helmut Marko has expressed certainty that Max Verstappen will win his fourth world championship in 2024.
Amid a turbulent season for Red Bull with performance struggles and internal team issues, Verstappen had been gradually losing points to McLaren's Lando Norris. Adding to the tension, Verstappen, his father Jos, and team advisor Marko have hinted at a pro-British bias from both the media and FIA officials.
"All that nonsense that was spread, and then this," Marko told De Telegraaf after Verstappen surged from P17 to victory at the Brazilian GP, expanding his points lead over Norris to 62.
Verstappen now stands a realistic chance of clinching the drivers' title at the upcoming Las Vegas GP, with two more grands prix still remaining after that.
"Max was flying," said Marko about Verstappen's performance at Interlagos. "He was flawless and you can't say that about Lando Norris."
Some observers suggest the showdown between friends Verstappen and Norris reveals Norris may not yet be ready for a championship.
However, McLaren boss Andrea Stella disagrees, arguing that this does not define Norris's potential.
"I don't think that's a fair statement about Lando," Stella remarked.
Still, Stella acknowledges the championship is essentially out of reach - and basically already in Verstappen's hands.
"I mean, he was the favourite before, to be honest," said Stella. "But Lando is just behind him, and he should be very proud of his performance. When it comes to the drivers' championship, I don't think there was any pressure for Lando.
"To be honest, we enjoyed this mission. It can happen that you have problems here and there, but we learn our lesson and get stronger and stronger.
"It's easy to say that Norris locked his wheels, but we're asking less about the driver and more about why our car behaved like that. If we don't win this year, we'll come back even stronger next year."
Marko fully agrees that Verstappen's win in Brazil has solidified the title chase.
"No, I think this is the title," said the 81-year-old, when asked by De Telegraaf if Sunday was a 'giant leap' towards the title.
