Helmut Marko has given an insight into the secret to Max Verstappen’s success in Formula 1.
Since his entry into F1 in 2015, the Dutchman has become arguably one of the greatest drivers of the modern era of the sport. 2024 marked his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship title and over his career so far, he’s secured 65 wins, 116 podium finishes, 43 pole positions, and 34 fastest laps.
Red Bull Racing motorsport advisor Dr. Marko discussed the four-time champion’s history in karting and his sim racing interests as he revealed what makes him a “strong racing personality.”
During an appearance on The Inside Track, the Austrian explained that Verstappen “had a tough time with his dad in go-karting. He trained him for all situations. You know, when you come to a new circuit, you have to be fast immediately. You have to go out in the rain, and things like that.
“But on top of that, he has unbelievable talent. He had his training, as I mentioned, from Jos, but also – the rest of the time – he is on a simulator.
“I can’t really say how much it helps, but I believe whatever happens to him, he knows about it because he has seen it in one of the simulator situations. He’s committed. He is just interested in racing. He does, besides that, nothing. He has quite a simple life, and all that together makes a very strong racing personality.”
Aside from F1, Verstappen competes in sim races with Team Redline. Despite some sporadic backlash from within the F1 paddock about sim racing distracting him during Grand Prix weekends, the driver has defended his commitment to both disciplines.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images
“I also drove a 24-hour iRacing event online on Imola. I won the sim race and the Formula 1 race,” he previously explained to Viaplay. “Nobody talks about that. I slept for six hours. Great. So, I know what I can and cannot do.”
He added, “When I then drove another sim race in Hungary and it didn’t go well, there were stupid comments from everyone – like I hadn’t slept well and shouldn’t drive sim racing.”
