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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.

Helmut Marko Believes Max Verstappen’s Speed Will Close Gap on McLarens
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.

FERRARI ALERT: FRED VASSEUR ABANDONS TWENTY-TWENTY-FIVE TO FIX ENGINE FOR TWENTY-TWENTY-SIX RULES

Fred Vasseur admits Ferrari’s 2025 was a failure. With Lewis Hamilton scoreless on podiums, all eyes are on the 2026 engine reset.

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Lewis Hamilton Ends Career-Worst Season Without A Single Ferrari Podium Finish

Team boss Fred Vasseur says Ferrari's 2025 season wasn't good after neither Charles Leclerc nor Lewis Hamilton won a single race.

Vasseur thought 2025 might be the year Ferrari finally brought the F1 title back home, after what feels like forever. They haven't won the driver's title since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007, and their last constructor's title was in 2008.

Vasseur felt good because Ferrari ended the 2024 season just 14 points away from winning their 17th constructors' title. But he soon knew how far behind McLaren they were, and he gave up in April to concentrate on the 2026 rules.

Vasseur stopped developing the 2025 car in April to put wind tunnel time into the new rules instead of aero upgrades. But this choice led to Hamilton's worst season in his 19-year career, during his first year with Ferrari.

Fred Vasseur keeps telling Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton that 'everything' is new for 2026. Hamilton didn't even get a single podium, which hasn't happened before in his career. The 40-year-old also scored his fewest points since F1 started the current scoring system in 2010, ending up with only 156 points and sixth place.

Leclerc only got 242 points, finishing fifth, marking his fourth season without a win in seven years with Ferrari. But though Vasseur admits 2025 wasn't good, he keeps saying that everything will be different in 2026.

"The message at the end of the year, and I think we agree on this, is that we all know the season wasn't good," Vasseur told Sky Italy.

We've had time to talk about why. But the thing is, 2026 is going to be totally different. New chassis, engine, battery, fuel, and tyres—everything's new.

Ferrari had a rough time in 2025 after changing their suspension for the SF-25, which caused ride height problems all year. So, they're going back to push-rod suspension on both ends for 2026, admitting that switching to pull-rods was a mistake.

But the biggest change in the 2026 rules is expected to be the engine rules, which will increase the electrical part of the power from 20% to 50%. F1 is also getting rid of the MGU-H and switching to 100% sustainable fuels.

Many people think Mercedes will have the best engine for 2026, which could see them back at the front. But, there are worries about Ferrari's engine for 2026, and they're rushing to fix things.

Now, people are saying that Ferrari is worried Mercedes has found something in the 2026 engine rules that could let them burn fuel faster. Audi and Honda also have the same worry.

EXPERT ANALYSIS: RED BULL PROMOTES ISACK HADJAR AS MAX VERSTAPPEN DOUBTS TEAM STRATEGY FOR 2026

Max Verstappen remains vocal over Liam Lawson’s exit as Isack Hadjar is confirmed for Red Bull’s "cursed" second seat in 2026.

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Verstappen Slams Red Bull Over Lawson

Max Verstappen is still not happy about Liam Lawson getting benched so quickly. Also, people are saying Red Bull has a big choice to make about who drives their second car. Here's the latest:

Verstappen Unhappy with Lawson Decision

After Sergio Perez left, Lawson became Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull. But after only two race weekends, he was out.

Lawson went back to Racing Bulls for the Japanese GP. Verstappen wasn't thrilled then, and he's still not happy about it now.

Red Bull's Second Car Problem

Ever since Daniel Ricciardo left in 2018, Red Bull hasn't found a driver who can reliably do well in the second car.

Yuki Tsunoda struggled after replacing Lawson. Then he became a test/reserve driver after the 2025 season. Isack Hadjar is up next.

Karun Chandhok, a former F1 driver and now an analyst for Sky, thinks Red Bull has a big choice to make. If they want to win both titles again, Chandhok says they need a second car that can actually compete.

Ferrari's Big Signing a Mistake?

Ferrari tried to get Adrian Newey, a key guy from Verstappen and Red Bull's success, but he picked Aston Martin instead.

Ferrari did sign Lewis Hamilton, but the seven-time world champion didn't do so great in 2025.

Did Ferrari pick the wrong F1 star? Riccardo Patrese, who won six races, wasn't saying much when asked about it.

Williams Shows Off 2026 Test Colours

Williams is the first team to show what their cars will look like for the first F1 2026 pre-season test.

With new rules for cars and engines, the new cars will be on the track for the first time in January for a private test in Barcelona.

The Williams FW48 will have its Flow State colours.

Mercedes Shares Sound of 2026 Engine

Mercedes did what Honda did and put the sound of their new engine on social media.

People are very curious about the Mercedes engine because it will be in the McLaren, Williams, and Alpine cars, plus the Mercedes team cars.

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