Marko agrees with Verstappen over wild McLaren statement

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has backed up Max Verstappen's claim that he would have won the F1 title driving a McLaren this year.

Verstappen clinched his fourth title last weekend in Las Vegas following a run to fifth place ahead of his closest rival Lando Norris.

Norris closed in on Verstappen's lead in the middle of the campaign as McLaren improved its form, but he could not reduce the deficit enough to bring the challenge to the final two rounds of the season.

However, Verstappen has suggested he would have won his title “much earlier” if he was driving the McLaren car.

“If people are critical and think that I can only win in the best car, then I prove the opposite,” he told Dutch media. “If I don't get credit for this now, then I don't know what else I can do.

“Would I have become champion in the McLaren? Yes. And much earlier too.”

Marko has agreed with the Dutchman's suggestion as he called on Red Bull to produce a stronger challenger next season.

“Yes, he is definitely right about that,” Marko told oe24. “This year no other driver than Max would have won the world championship for us. 

“He certainly didn't have the best car. We just need to build the right car for him in 2025, then Max will perform. 

“A car that is not as erratic as the current one and is constantly at the front.”