P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull F1 chief Helmut Marko has given up on subscribing to the dream that Max Verstappen will retain his drivers’ title in 2025.
Red Bull F1 chief Helmut Marko has abandoned hope of Max Verstappen retaining his drivers’ title in 2025, acknowledging the challenge of closing the 97-point gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri. Despite Verstappen’s impressive track record, Marko believes it is unrealistic for him to secure a fifth consecutive victory with F1 legend Michael Schumacher likely to retain the sole achievement of five back-to-back titles. Marko stated that the upcoming minor updates from Red Bull after the summer break will not be sufficient for Verstappen to overtake the McLaren duo, setting expectations for a possible drop in standings. With the 2026 regulations looming, Verstappen’s focus may shift towards future title fights as he evaluates his chances of finishing third in the current championship race.
