Taskmaster Helmut Marko Places His Bets on Max Verstappen to Get Red Bull Out of a Sticky Situation

Team Red Bull has experienced numerous highs and lows in 2022. With the help of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, the Milton Keynes team, who had waited nine years to occupy the throne, finally succeeded. However, the revelation that the Austrian outfit had exceeded the funding cap broke during the celebration. Since then, the team has endured numerous anxious nights, but the Red Bull advisor has full confidence in Max Verstappen‘s ability to lead the team out of this tricky time.

For exceeding the budget cap of 2021, the team was fined $7 million and had 10% of their time in the wind tunnel taken away. Additionally, because the FIA rules state that the team that wins the constructor’s category receives the least amount of wind tunnel time, it might be more difficult for the team to get off to a solid start. However, the Red Bull advisor claims he is already slightly optimistic about Red Bull’s chances in 2023 and doesn’t appear concerned.

Even if the Austrian outfit suffers as a result of the shortened wind tunnel time, Helmut Marko believes the team can overcome the biggest setbacks with Verstappen. The Austrian said that Red Bull’s weapon is still developing.

“The team is sticking together and Max is still getting slightly better. That’s why I think we can start this season cautiously optimistic already,” said the Austrian to Servus TV. Although the next Red Bull race car’s concept is already finished, Marko adds that work on it will continue until the deadline. He said, “At least we can build on a successful 2022 car.”

READ MORE: “No Longer the Hunger to Try and Win…”: Max Verstappen Leaves Red Bull Shaking in Their Shoes After Startling Confession

We must remember that the Red Bull team includes three of the top drivers as we approach 2023. Daniel Ricciardo’s arrival in the squad may have put Sergio Perez under additional pressure, but the Taskmaster dispels any rumors to the contrary.

Helmut Marko rejects the growing speculation around Sergio Perez’s seat

The Red Bull team is accustomed to switching drivers between its primary team and sister squad AlphaTauri. Thus there have been mounting rumors since the day Daniel entered the Red Bull camp that they may give him Perez’s seat. Because Ricciardo is an alumnus of Red Bull’s junior program and has a history with the team, the rumors have become stronger. Still, the Red Bull advisor has debunked them and stated explicitly that the Honey Badger has not been added to the squad to restrain the Mexican driver.

Marko spoke with ServusTV, a Red-Bull company, “No. Sergio Perez has shown that he can ride at a very high level. If Max [Verstappen] is never there, Sergio will be. He won two races this year for a reason. We have to remember that we are a great team.”

Clarifying the rationale behind the Australian driver’s inclusion in the group, Marko said, “We also have the largest number of sponsors on the grid. This means that we also have many commitments every year.“ Who can do it better than Ricciardo with his smile, his shoeys and I don’t know what else he has up his sleeve?”

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The Austrian team had a really pleasant year in 2022, and as we have already begun a new year, the team will undoubtedly have more exciting and adventurous experiences. With that, do you think the honey badger will have the opportunity to compete in F1 races in addition to participating in promotional activities?