Helmut Marko has claimed he doesn’t want Max Verstappen to win the F1 world championship this weekend in Singapore. The Red Bull boss said it would be better for the Dutchman to secure the crown in Japan next week, from a marketing perspective.
Red Bull’s engine partner is Japanese manufacturer Honda meaning a title win at Suzuka will be even sweeter. Speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF, he explained: “From a marketing point of view, winning the title would be better in Japan, because of our engine partner Honda.
“But in general we can assume that Max will be World Champion. It’s just a question of when.” Verstappen can earn his second title this weekend if he wins the race and Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc suffer issues.
The reigning champion will secure the crown if he clinches victory and Leclerc finishes no higher than ninth with Perez lower than fourth. It means if Perez and Leclerc both finish inside the top five, the championship battle will extend to another race.
READ MORE: Hamilton and Verstappen to lose ‘up to four kilos’ during Singapore GP
Marko admits Red Bull made improvements throughout the season while their nearest rivals struggled. He stressed the issues to the Prancing Horse were vital in turning Red Bull’s advantage into a “comfortable lead”.
Marko added: “We were mainly concerned with the front end of the car when we made the improvements. Max needs a car that really bites at the front, ie turns in very spontaneously. What then happens with the rear doesn’t interest Max so much. Our car got better and better, Ferrari on the other hand had technical defects, plus driving errors, and so the gap turned into a comfortable lead for us over time.”
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https://formulaone.news/ferrari/f1-drivers-call-for-fia-review-of-tighter-pitlanes
