Marko targets key Verstappen goal after Vettel failure

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has set Max Verstappen the target of claiming a fifth consecutive F1 drivers' title next year, something Sebastian Vettel failed to do. 

Verstappen sealed a fourth consecutive drivers' title with two rounds remaining last November in Las Vegas, moving him level with Vettel. 

Like Verstappen, Vettel claimed his four titles in consecutive seasons with Red Bull, before his rein ended in 2014. 

However, the end of Vettel's dominance was largely caused by the introduction of the hybrid regulations, which Red Bull initially struggled in.

Another title for Verstappen next year would delight Marko, whose goals for this year did not all come true.

"Of course not, but the intentions of staying healthy and celebrating new successes with Max Verstappen did come true," Marko told Sport.de.

"For next year, I hope that we do manage to bring home a fifth world title in a row. That was not possible with Sebastian Vettel at the time because of the changed engine regulations."

In 2014, Renault did not manage to compete with Mercedes with the new V6 turbo engines.

Reliability was also a significant problem for the French manufacturer who powered Red Bull at the time.

Of course, the new power unit regulations will be introduced in 2026; however, no changes will occur next year, giving Verstappen a great chance of a fifth consecutive drivers' title.

"This time, however, the regulations remain stable," noted Marko. "On the other hand, that also means that all the other teams will be even closer together, so I'm counting on a very exciting battle between the four top teams."

Verstappen 2025 favourite

With the regulations remaining the same next season, a hotly-contested championship is expected between Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes. 

Of the four teams, it is only McLaren retaining its driver pairing. Red Bull has replaced Sergio Perez with Liam Lawson, Ferrari has signed Lewis Hamilton to partner Charles Leclerc and Mercedes has promoted Kimi Antonelli to replace the seven-time world champion. 

Marko still views Verstappen as the clear favourite for the 2025 drivers' title, with the Austrian expecting an "internal struggle" at Red Bull's rivals.

"For me, of course, Max is the favourite. With our team composition, Verstappen is the clear number one," added Marko.

"Whilst at Ferrari there will be a battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri will not simply settle for a role as #2 driver at McLaren."

"I don't know how it will be at Mercedes, that depends on how visible Kimi Antonelli will be.

"So at some teams there will be an internal struggle, something I don't think we'll see with us with Liam Lawson."