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Marko revels over Hamilton Abu Dhabi 2021 loss
Former Red Bull F1 advisor Helmut Marko considers Max Verstappen his proudest achievement, reveling in Verstappen’s victory over seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Marko recently departed from Red Bull after two decades as the team’s motorsport advisor, where he nurtured talents like Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel. Marko has since overseen the progression of young talents like Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, with Isack Hadjar being promoted to the Red Bull main team for 2026. A close bond exists between Verstappen and Marko, evident in their emotional phone call following the 2021 season finale, where Marko announced his retirement. In a recent interview with De Telegraaf, Marko expressed immense pride in Verstappen’s accomplishments, emphasizing their shared journey of exceeding expectations. The 2021 Abu Dhabi GP marked a dramatic turn of events, as Verstappen clinched his first world championship title with a last-lap overtake on Hamilton, amidst controversy over race direction decisions. The emotional victory underscored the bond between Verstappen and Marko, transcending the challenges faced during the monumental race.
