“Ricciardo is Proof”: Marko Explains Why Monaco F1 Win is Important for Max Verstappen’s Future

After a dominant display in Monaco, Max Verstappen took the lead in the driver’s championship for the first time in his career. Although it’s only their second win this season, Red Bull look more threatening than in previous seasons.

With 25 points from Monaco, Verstappen now Mercedes leads Lewis Hamilton by four points. Red Bull took 37 points from the Monaco Grand Prix. With Verstappen winning the race, his teammate Sergio Perez finished P4, his best result in Red Bull so far. Their 37-point haul also gave them a one-point lead on Mercedes in the constructor’s championship.

Marko believes Verstappen’s win will have long-term benefits

With his win in Monaco, Verstappen made his first appearance on the podium in the Principality. This is surprising given his former Red Bull teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, was often enough on the podium. Marko believes this win will help Verstappen in the long-term, while also building confidence and control in his driving.

“We had never managed to get on the podium with Max despite our car being able to fight for victory in the past, and [Daniel] Ricciardo is proof of that. I think this success can give him an extra boost and will give him more confidence and control when driving,” said Marko. “I think the win in Monaco will be very important for the future.”

The team had to yell at Max Verstappen about the fastest lap: Marko

Although Red Bull’s weekend was successful, Dr. Helmut Marko spoke after the race about the fastest lap. He pointed out how the team responded when Verstappen asked about the extra point.

In the fight for the title, every point counts. One of those points includes the fastest lap of the race, which a driver gets if he finishes in the top 10 with the fastest lap. Although Hamilton finished a disappointing P7 in Monaco, he scored that extra point by putting in the fastest lap.

Red Bull advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, revealed what the team did when Verstappen asked about the fastest lap. He said, “We always warned him about the different fuel consumption mappings to adopt and things like that, and he had to adapt, when he started asking who had set the fastest lap and with what time, we immediately blocked him and yelled at him not to think about it at all!”

READ MORE: Marko Names Verstappen’s Key F1 Strength That Could Help Beat Hamilton

With the next race in Baku, Verstappen will look to achieve the same success as in Monaco. Red Bull will be favorites heading into another street race, and the Austrians might not find a better opportunity to extend their lead on Mercedes than June 6.

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