Every race weekend poses a new challenge for each team on the grid. However, in the face of adversity, one man always stands tall and on the top step of the podium and that is Max Verstappen. The Dutchman has been phenomenal in the current season. Absolutely no one has come even close to even challenging him for the win, apart from his teammate on two occasions. However, Sergio Perez has fallen off the horse in the last four races. In fact, now, there are only two drivers who can pose a threat to Verstappen who are Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. Although, heading to Red Bull‘s home turf in Austria, Helmut Marko believes, even these two won’t pose a threat.

Max Verstappen is still standing out despite the threat and Mercedes and Aston Martin’s efforts to close the gap. The RB19 is far too superior and all attempts to find the secret of the superiority have failed. However, with the current track record, there is no doubt in Marko’s mind Verstappen’s the clear winner. He has stated the same hyping up Verstappen for the Austrian GP in an interview.

Speaking to OE24, Marko replied to a question about how Max is so clear of Sergio Perez in terms of pace. He stated, “Because Max is Max. He’s in the best car, but [Fernando] Alonso and [Lewis] Hamilton could at most keep up with it. The three are simply the strongest, among them Max stands out again.” [Translated via Google]

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That is the immediate belief of the Austrian. However, he sees a scenario where Verstappen can be beaten toward the latter half of the season. A scenario that will be a massive shame for the entire new generation of drivers.

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were accused of being the bane of Max Verstappen’s F1 glory in the long run

So far from what we’ve seen, no driver on the grid has come close to challenging Verstappen for a win. However, if there are any drivers who can, despite Marko’s comments mentioned above, it’s Hamilton and Alonso. The two oldest drivers on the grid are the only ones who have been able to keep up with the Dutchman. This is exactly why Marko in the near past admitted, that the veterans can pose a threat to Red Bull’s 100% record in the future.

Marko said, “In a way, young people should be ashamed of themselves. The big two, who are the only ones who can ‘piss off’ Max Verstappen, add up to 80 years: Alonso and Hamilton!”

Helmut also took the liberty to shame the entire younger generation of the grid for not being able to keep up with the “80 years” olds.

This scenario currently doesn’t seem likely at the moment. However, over the course of the season, a lot can change and towards the end, Marko’s words might come true.

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