Red Bull hands Max Verstappen clear F1 title requirement

Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko insists Max Verstappen must win at least five or six grands prix this season to be in with any hope of claiming his fifth-consecutive F1 drivers' championship.

The Dutchman is looking to match Michael Schumacher's Ferrari stretch from between his third title in 2000 and his seventh in 2004. 

Seven rounds into the current campaign, the 27-year-old has a pair of victories to his name - the most recent coming at the previous round in Imola - leaving him on track to hit the target laid out by Marko by the end of the 24-round schedule.

However, the 82-year-old is acutely aware of the formidable opposition the Milton Keynes squad and it star driver are up against.

With Verstappen sitting third in the standings, behind Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, the Austrian highlighted how four-time F1 drivers' champion needs the two McLarens to weaken each other's title charge.

"It definitely needs five or six wins [for Verstappen to win the title], and that will be difficult against McLaren, because McLaren has proven that their car works on any track, with any type of tyre, and in any temperature." Marko told Sport.de.

"Everything has to come together and work optimally for us to have a chance.

"But I hope Lando Norris starts winning again and they take points away from McLaren [Oscar Piastri]. We have to take advantage of that."

One versus two

Despite wanting the British side of the McLaren line-up to return to form, Marko clarified that Red Bull does not care who is faster out of the papaya pair, so long as they "alternate" in competitiveness.

He also highlighted the benefit afforded to Verstappen by being the undisputed number 1 driver at the six-time constructors' champions.

"We're battling against both McLarens, so it's irrelevant to us who's faster at the moment. They alternate," Marko said.

"In principle, Lando Norris was faster in Imola. That's obviously an advantage for us.

"For us, it's quite clear: Max is number 1, everything is focused on him, while McLaren has two drivers who are generally equally fast. The more they alternate, the better for us."