Marko: Verstappen lost interest when Red Bull were not competitive

Sunday, 19 October 2025 at 12:26

With another level of performance now unlocked from the RB21, Red Bull has transformed their fortunes and turned the car back into a race winner and perhaps even a shot at the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship title.

It has not always been the case this season, but now Max Verstappen, inspired and razor-sharp, is seriously set for one of the greatest comebacks in Formula 1 history. Aiming for a fifth consecutive F1 World title, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris risk losing their grip on the prize as the pressure builds within the Woking team.

McLaren's woes were exacerbated by the double DNF in the United States Grand Prix Sprint Race on Saturday, which Verstappen won. The Red Bull ace is now only 55 points down on leader Piastri in the 2025 F1 drivers' points standings. Before the season resumed after the summer break, he was 94 points adrift.

Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko explained to Sky Sports F1 that the Dutchman’s focus wavered earlier in the season when the RB21 went off the boil: “Max at one stage when we were not competitive, I would say he lost a little bit of interest. He was more interested in GT racing, so to keep him in a good mood, I was talking about Nürburgring and things like that.”

Reignited motivation is worth two-tenths to Max

AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 18: Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 arrives in parc ferme during Qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 18, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202510190061 // Usage for editorial use only //

Marko said Verstappen’s recent success at the Nürburgring and Red Bull’s improved form reignited his motivation: “Now that the car is working, and his success at the Nürburgring, I would say two tenths just came from him because he’s really motivated, he’s enjoying, you don’t hear him shouting, he’s smiling, that’s what you need.”

Verstappen’s return to form has Red Bull sensing a late surge in the championship, though Marko urged caution: “It’s too early to say if he’s back in the title battle, but this weekend looks promising.”

Even prior to the Sprint Race and Qualifying, Zak Brown was taking nothing for granted: “Max is very much in the game. I think it would be a big mistake to think Max wasn’t part of this Drivers’ Championship right now." The McLaren boss can double down on that.

Verstappen starts Sunday’s United States Grand Prix from pole, aiming to close the gap to Piastri (starting P6) and Norris (starting P2) as Red Bull chase one of the sport’s most remarkable turnarounds.

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