Max Verstappen “has reached a different level of maturity”

Co-author: Christian Nimmervoll

10h

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko believes that Max Verstappen has reached a “different level of maturity” in Formula 1 after a dominant win in Monaco on Sunday.

Verstappen took to the streets in Monaco to secure his second win of the season and to take the lead in the F1 Drivers Championship for the first time. He used a bad weekend for Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.

After turning Valtteri Bottas off at corner one, Verstappen rarely saw the risk of coming under pressure at the head of the race and crossed the line 8.9 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr.

The controlled display was praised by Marko von Verstappen, who pointed out the maturity and composure of the young Dutchman in directing the race.

“He has certainly reached a different level of maturity,” said Marko after the race on Sky Germany. “We kept him busy with fuel modes and so on. He had to understand quite a lot.

“When he started asking who had the fastest lap and what time, we immediately blocked him and said, ‘Forget all that!'”

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st place, comes on the podium

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Red Bull was quick to tell Verstappen not to set the fastest lap after Hamilton fitted fresh, soft tires after a late pit stop and set a time that was likely out of reach.

However, the bonus point did not prevent Hamilton from losing the championship lead and slipped four points behind Verstappen.

Verstappen, who ended a difficult record in Monaco with a win that also marked his first podium in the Principality, ended a great first day in the overall standings.

Verstappen failed in his first two starts in Monaco and missed a possible chance to win in 2018 after falling in the last practice session and excluding him from qualifying.

Despite finishing second on the road and pestering Hamilton for the lead in 2019, he fell to fourth after a five-second time penalty for an unsafe release on the pits.

When asked what a win in Monaco meant for Verstappen’s résumé, Marko thought it would be another boost, especially given the way he performed.

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“We haven’t had a podium here yet [with Max]Even though we had a car that can win twice, Ricciardo proved it, ”said Marko. “I think that gives him another boost of relief. It should make its performance even more confident and controlled.

“That was also very, very important for the future.”