Verstappen left Helmut Marko hanging: 'I just didn't pick up'

Dr Helmut Marko and Red Bull have been linked for over 20 years. The Austrian has assisted talents like Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and, of course, Max Verstappen. The latter has another nice anecdote that he shares with motorsportmagazin.com.

Helmut Marko is known for his early phone calls to colleagues and drivers. Verstappen had no qualms about this: "I just didn't answer. I thought to myself, 'I'm not going to answer that phone at this time, I'm still asleep'. I just called him that back at 10 o'clock, or whenever.'' The Dutchman thinks Helmut was able to build respect for this: "I think at some point he also understood that I wouldn't answer the phone at 7.30, 8 o'clock. He likes that in a way, I think.''

Verstappen praises Marko and the cooperation they have: ''We can say anything to each other. Our relationship is very honest and straightforward.'' The Dutchman also speaks highly of the courage Helmut showed a few years back when the Honda engines were not running: ''It was an incredible decision by Helmut to rely on Honda. I don't think everyone was convinced at the time, but fortunately, it paid off.''