F1 News & Gossip

Verstappen admits IGNORING calls from Red Bull supremo

Chris Deeley Tuesday 12 December 2023 09:12

Verstappen admits IGNORING calls from Red Bull supremo

Max Verstappen has admitted that he used to ignore phone calls from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko if the Austrian called him early in the morning.

Marko has long been considered the kingmaker for young drivers in the Red Bull program, but Verstappen - typically headstrong - decided not to go out of his way to appeal to the veteran.

Despite his decision not to pander to Marko by answering his early morning calls, Verstappen admitted that he may have impressed the long-time team advisor by setting a clear boundary.

In an interview with Motorsport-Magazin, the newly-crowned three-time world champion also hailed the decision to pick Honda as the team's engine partner in 2019, admitting that not everyone in the team was convinced at the time.

Max Verstappen has worked with Helmut Marko since 2014

The outspoken Marko has caused controversy, particularly when criticising Sergio Perez

Helmut Marko has a lot of influence on the Red bull team

Verstappen: Marko understands clear boundaries

“I just didn’t answer. I thought to myself, I’m not going to answer the phone at that time, I’m still asleep. I then simply called him back at 10.00 a.m. or whenever.

“At some point, I think he understood that I wouldn’t answer his calls at 7.30 or 8.00am either. I think he also likes that in a way, because you’ve set your boundaries and he’s the same.”

“It was an incredible decision by Helmut to switch to Honda," he added. “I don’t think everyone was convinced at the time. But fortunately it is now paying off.”

Red Bull Max Verstappen Sergio Perez Helmut Marko Honda

Latest News

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Red Bull BOMBSHELL emerges as F1 star set to sign with RIVAL

19 minutes ago

GPFans Recap

Ricciardo tipped for F1 COMEBACK as Ferrari tease huge unveiling - GPFans Recap

Yesterday 23:57

Latest F1 News

Emotional Ferrari test paves way for Hamilton arrival

Yesterday 22:57

F1 Social

Ricciardo prompts FURY after controversial announcement

Yesterday 21:57

Lewis Hamilton

Shock Hamilton contract revelation emerges as champion tipped to sign with RIVAL

Yesterday 20:57

Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo F1 RETURN verdict issued as team chief offers comeback twist

Yesterday 19:57

More news

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY