Helmut Marko, the advisor of the Red Bull Racing team, highlighted the consistency of the triple World Champion Max Verstappen as he suggested the Dutchman is still not at the limit.
After witnessing two consecutive seasons dominated by Red Bull and Max Verstappen, F1 fans are starting to be bored of watching the same driver and team winning.
Only two different drivers besides the 26-year-old stood on the top step of the podium in 2023 as the Dutchman completed the most dominant season F1 has ever seen.
Naturally, going into the upcoming season, almost everyone hopes to see other teams closing the gap to Red Bull. But would other drivers stand a chance if Verstappen was able to continue his flawless streak?
Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko acknowledged the talent of Ferrari and McLaren drivers Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris but suggested they still make too many mistakes to challenge the reigning World Champion. He told F1 insider:
"Leclerc and Norris are certainly exceptional talents. But both have shown weaknesses in consistency in the past. In addition, Max is not yet at his limit."
Scuderia Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur asserted the Dutchman and his team would make more mistakes as the pressure amounts. On the other hand, he admitted no team has been able to put much pressure on the 26-year-old in 2023.
Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan recently said on the Formula For Success Podcast he believes Verstappen could have shown even better pace last year, but there was no need as he wasn't challenged by anybody.
Helmut Marko also believes the Dutchman still hasn't shown his full potential as he added: "He will get even better. It is our job to provide him with a car that is as good as the one in 2023. Then he will be the benchmark again."