Marko verdict on Verstappen-Perez team order question

Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko has insisted Max Verstappen will not help Sergio Perez achieve second in the F1 Drivers' standings.

The Dutchman sewed up his third World Championship early at the Qatar Grand Prix, with attention in the Drivers' standings now turned to Perez's battle with the closing Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen allowed intra-team tensions to publically spill over at the São Paulo Grand Prix last season when refusing to abide by a team order and allow Perez through on the last lap, with the Mexican eventually losing out in the race for second in the championship against Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

With three races to go, Verstappen had suggested it was not his place to help his teammate - a sentiment Marko backs.

"Last year it was about fifth and sixth place, which would not have made any difference," Marko told Kronen Zeitung.

"But Max will do his thing and he will definitely not give victory to Checo."

Verstappen 'blown away' by Hamilton

Verstappen has been thwarted by Mercedes on the last two visits to Interlagos but rival Lewis Hamilton starts four places behind the Dutchman for Sunday's Grand Prix.

Assessing the threat posed by the seven-time champion, Marko explained: "In 2021, Verstappen was really blown away by Hamilton.

"Last year there was also a clash between the two, although you have to admit that our set-up was wrong then. But Hamilton is always very strong in Brazil and Mercedes has shown they are on the rise."