Marko assigns Verstappen mission in Red Bull title hunt

Helmut Marko believes Max Verstappen needs two more victories this season to win the F1 drivers' title, but also to get Red Bull back into the constructors' championship fight. 

The Red Bull advisor currently believes the Milton Keynes-based outfit cannot beat McLaren to the title, with Lando Norris' recent victory in Singapore having been described as "extraordinary". 

Red Bull finds itself 41 points behind McLaren with six races remaining, whilst Verstappen still has a 52-point lead over Norris. 

As a result, Red Bull's focus is on Verstappen winning the drivers' crown for a fourth consecutive season.

When asked by Motorsport-Total if Red Bull has written off the constructors' title, Marko said: "With the performance we have now? Yes. But I am optimistic.

"If Max wins races again and Sergio can finish third or fourth, things will look different again. But as I said, the focus is primarily on the drivers' title."

Things are slowly starting to improve for Red Bull, with Verstappen having secured a surprise second in Singapore. 

It has been rumoured that Red Bull will introduce an upgrades package for when F1 returns at the United States Grand Prix, which could revitalise its season. 

Marko has outlined what Verstappen must do to become a four-time world champion, with the Dutchman also being key to a late Red Bull charge to defeat McLaren.

"If you can achieve that [the drivers' title], and I think that is only possible if Max wins at least two more races, then things will look a little more optimistic for the constructors' championship."

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