Marko spies twin Verstappen advantages in Norris F1 title race

Helmut Marko believes Max Verstappen has two major factors in his favour in the F1 title race with Lando Norris.

The F1 season resumes this weekend in the United States after the autumn break, with Red Bull's Verstappen enjoying a 52-point cushion to Norris in the championship with 180 left on the board.

McLaren is regarded as having the fastest car, but Norris has not been able to maximise his results, with at least 10 points being left on the table due to team order rows within McLaren and Norris's team-mate Oscar Piastri.

Veteran motorsport advisor Marko believes the delay in McLaren settling upon Norris as its lead driver is just one area that makes Verstappen the title favourite, with Red Bull set to bring a big upgrade to Austin it hopes will soothe the ailments of the RB20.

"There is a certain upward trend for us. But I have to admit: we have the same problems as Ferrari and Mercedes lately. Sometimes the car works and then it doesn't, although we don't know why," Marko told oe24.

"McLaren is consistently fast, but they probably waited too long to make a clear choice for Norris. As a result, he is still far behind Max. 

"We now hope we have a car in which [Verstappen] is more confident. Our engineers have new parts and are optimistic."

But when pushed why he felt Verstappen would defeat Norris, Marko hinted at the mental positions of both drivers - with Norris in his first-ever F1 title fight against the three-time champion.

"Because mentally and as a driver, [Verstappen] is the best," he said. 

"Norris is weak in the beginning (of a race) and he is not the strongest mentally. The pressure increases with every race because in reality he has to win every time to catch up. 

"Max finds it easier to defend, and with Austin and a week later Mexico, there are now two circuits coming up that suit him very well."