Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has been told that he is wrong to claim that only Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso can challenge Max Verstappen for pace, despite the Dutchman nearly 70 points ahead of second-placed Sergio Perez already this season. The team-mates have taken every race win so far this campaign but have been warned not to underestimate those behind them on the grid.
Despite the two Red Bull stars sharing the same car, Marko has previously explained that Verstappen’s talent was the reason he stands alone at the top of the grid and claimed that only Hamilton and Alonso could come close to matching him.
Marko interestingly did not name Perez among those who can keep up with Verstappen, but two-time F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi believes that two wildcard names outside of Perez, Hamilton and Alonso that also have the ability to challenge the 25-year-old for pace.
“I understand Helmut’s point of view, but I’m sure [Charles] Leclerc will be there on a good day,” Fittipaldi told wettfreunde. “He’s definitely very fast. And Lando Norris is also very fast.
“In my opinion, Lando Norris is a very fast driver. He and Leclerc can definitely challenge Verstappen. I understand Fernando and Lewis, both former world champions, are top because they have experience. Your judgments during the race are always good and most of the time they are correct. But Leclerc and Norris are there too.”
Leclerc and Norris have just one podium between them so far this season, the Ferrari driver’s third-placed finish in Azerbaijan as the Red Bulls have dominated – though Perez has failed to come in the top three for the last three races.
Perez has been told that he “needs to get his act together” by Fittipaldi as questions over his future at Red Bull have begun to swirl over whether he is the right choice to compete with Verstappen long-term as reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo has been mentioned as a possible replacement.
“Max has the momentum and is on his way to his third world championship,” Fittipaldi added. “I am sure that he will be particularly motivated in this race. The team will also be under enormous pressure. He doesn’t need more motivation or confidence than what he has now but I hope Sergio Perez does well.
“Checo Perez needs to get his act together. He needs results. He has to perform. In motorsport, like any other sport, people don’t remember three or four GPs, but the last Grand Prix.”
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