P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Helmut Marko believes Red Bull can depend on McLaren’s in-fighting or its ‘joker’ card, Max Verstappen, to take both F1 titles in 2025.
McLaren clinched their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 last year with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri leading the charge. Despite their efforts, Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. McLaren faced team order controversies in Hungary and Monza, opting to prioritize Norris in his championship battle against Verstappen. However, it was too late as Verstappen proved too strong. Looking ahead to 2025, McLaren and Norris are the favorites, but Red Bull’s Marko sees Piastri as a potential challenger. Red Bull is banking on internal rivalry at McLaren to capitalize on opportunities during the season. Geographic struggles may prompt Marko to rely on Verstappen’s prowess to elevate the team’s performance.
