HELMUT MARKO BELIEVES MAX VERSTAPPEN’S SPEED WILL CLOSE GAP ON MCLARENS
Helmut Marko believes Red Bull and Max Verstappen can pull off a "miracle" in Brazil to close the gap on McLaren. Rain at Interlagos could be the key to a sensational comeback in the F1 title fight.
Marko Backs Verstappen Against McLarens - COURTESY/PHOTO
Ahead of this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, a track where Verstappen has produced some of his most well-known performances, the Red Bull driver stands in third place with 321 points, behind Lando Norris (357) and Oscar Piastri (356).
We have already produced several miracles in Brazil, Dr Helmut Marko told NTV. "Our chances of finishing ahead of both McLarens rise if it rains.
"We think it is real. We have a slim chance and the will. In the most recent race in 2010, we succeeded. And again in 2012. Verstappen also won the world championship on the final lap in 2021.
Max has accomplished a lot already, but it would be really amazing if he could pull off this comeback.
The 82-year-old Austrian also noted significant advancements since Red Bull's recent reorganisation in connection with Christian Horner's departure.
Marko told the Dutch magazine Formule 1 that all of the innovations and adjustments had come together flawlessly. "The automobile is now more competitive as a result.
Max's experience has given him a significant voice once more in technical talks. The engineers needed to start paying more attention to Max. They used to do it, too, but not as much as they do now.
In order to concentrate on its 2026 project, McLaren ceased the development of the 2025 car some time ago. Red Bull, meanwhile, unveiled a sixth underbody specification in Mexico, with more changes potentially likely.
According to Sao Paulo weather projections, Verstappen has frequently benefited from rainy conditions, so more may be in store.
The current one-point difference between them serves as an example of how tensions seem to be increasing within McLaren.
According to Ralf Schumacher on Sky Deutschland, Norris is dominating at McLaren, while Piastri is suddenly displaying nervousness. Right now, he is the calmer driver. However, the two had previously clashed regularly. This can be the deciding factor.
"The question is how tough things are within the squad now," Schumacher continued. You get the impression that Piastri is not completely at ease anymore and is hearing everything, which is obviously problematic.
Right now, he would be better off focusing on his work and not worrying as much about who the team could favour. The team does not care; winning the world championship for drivers is what matters most.
Schumacher believes that the weekend in Brazil will be historic.
This is a really important weekend. No,w as he needs to close the distance, Verstappen may want some assistance. It will be evident after Brazil if he still has a chance.
FIFA STANDS FIRM, REGENT CRIES FOUL IN HEATED RED CARD DEBATE
Johor Regent Tunku Ismail condemns FIFA's sanctions on Malaysia's "heritage" players, calling the decision "politically motivated." He vows to fight for the players' rights at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
FIFA Rejects Red Card Appeal - COURTESY/PHOTO
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has come under fire from Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, a well-known football enthusiast, for its steadfast stance that the seven "heritage" players on the national team obtained Malaysian citizenship through forged and falsified documents.
The world football body's decision was harshly criticised by the regent, who called the fines "politically driven" and a "misapplication of the law."
Tunku Ismail promised to keep fighting for the players' rights, even if the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is embarrassed by the decision and detractors are calling for heads to roll.
"While others decide to blame others and create noise, I will continue to stand behind the players and fight to the end, which will now take place at the impartial Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)," he said.
On Monday, FIFA declared that FAM's appeal against the penalties levied on the seven "legacy" players had been denied.
Raus Sharif, the former chief justice, was previously nominated by FAM, which has denied any misconduct, to lead an impartial commission that would look into the situation.
The matter has sparked debate over what many perceive to be unfair treatment, with detractors wondering how foreign-born athletes reportedly obtained citizenship so easily while stateless people who were born and nurtured in Malaysia still have to overcome insurmountable obstacles.
SHOCKING: WWE STAR WAS READY TO TAKE ON CM PUNK
WWE's Grayson Waller calls CM Punk "soft," revealing he was ready to fight him backstage. Waller says his dream match is to face the "real" Punk and vows to provoke the new World Heavyweight Champion.
CM Punk - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Recently, a former WWE champion declared that facing CM Punk would be his ideal match. The celebrity further asserted that when he rejoined the company, he was ready to battle The Second City Saint backstage.
Grayson Waller, a 35-year-old star, made the remarks while appearing on "INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet." The "Aussie Icon" responded that he has always wished to face the recently crowned World Heavyweight Champion when asked about his ideal opponent.
Waller reiterated, though, that his goal was to wrestle the "genuine" CM Punk. Since his comeback, the veteran has "changed a lot and gone soft," he said.
Waller brought up the controversy in the locker room that resulted in Punk's AEW release. When the veteran returned to WWE, he claimed he was expecting the same intensity and was let down.
I suppose I was prepared to engage him in combat backstage. That is what we were going to do, I thought," Waller remarked. I thought, 'This is going to be sick,' as if he would start causing trouble and beat up little flops backstage once more. I am in, guy.
According to Waller, the 47-year-old has instead changed into a "kind person" who helps everyone, even "NXT" talent. Waller does not respect or wish to quarrel with this particular form of CM Punk.
But these days, he is just a genuinely good man who helps everyone at NXT and does all of this. I do not like that kind of punk," Waller continued. "I am going to have that chance because I want to bring it back out."
"I have already told Punk directly that I intend to provoke him," he said. "There will come a time when I will stand across from you with a microphone and tell you precisely what I think of you, and I want you to tell me exactly what you think of me," I told him directly.
The new champion already has a big target on his back, even though Waller is concentrating on CM Punk. Punk and Jey Uso faced Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed on the latest episode of "Monday Night Raw."
The Vision prevailed in the ensuing melee, but the bout ended in a double count-out. Logan Paul appeared as Punk grabbed a steel chair to counterbalance the heels.
It looked like Paul was going to help Punk fight Breakker and Reed as he stepped into the ring. Rather, he teamed up with The Vision and used brass knuckles to strike the World Heavyweight Champion in the face.
Paul Heyman's new faction, which is now slated for a big bout, was cemented by this onslaught. Logan Paul and The Vision are probably going to collaborate on the next "WarGames" event.
Grayson Waller's ideal match is still a personal ambition, but CM Punk's near future is predetermined. The "Survivor Series: WarGames" main event for the "Raw" brand has been revealed.
Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, and new World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk will square off in the bout. The Vision, which now consists of Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and its newest member, Logan Paul, will confront them once they enter the cage.