Helmut Marko attracted a young Max Verstappen to Red Bull Racing. He also saw how the Dutchman was pushed to extremes to achieve the ultimate goal.
Helmut Marko has revealed the extreme training methods employed by Max Verstappen during his formative years en route to becoming a four-time F1 champion. Verstappen’s father, Jos, pushed him to the limit during karting and junior formula days to shape him into the driver he is today. Marko, Red Bull’s former advisor, highlighted the strict training regimen enforced by Verstappen Sr., including grueling sessions driving on kart tracks regardless of weather conditions. Verstappen’s mental toughness, honed through his father’s rigorous approach, sets him apart on the track, according to Marko. Despite the intensity of the training, Marko acknowledges that not every young driver could have withstood the psychological challenges. Both Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel stood out to Marko for their relentless drive and maturity beyond their years, attributes that have defined their successful careers in Formula 1.
