Helmut Marko claims that there are only two drivers on the grid who can even keep up with Max Verstappen.

It wasn't that long ago that we were discussing whether Sergio Perez could really beat his Red Bull teammate to the 2023 title. Now, just eight races in, talk has turned to whether he can even keep his seat.

As the Mexican struggles to rediscover his form, Helmut Marko is showing his customary empathy, claiming that there are only two drivers on the current grid who can even keep up with Verstappen, and Perez isn't one of them.

"Alonso and Hamilton could, at most, keep up with him, he tells OE24. "These three are simply the strongest, among them Max stands out again."

Referring to the widening chasm between the Dutchman and his teammate, Marko simply says: "Max is Max... he's in the best car."

This weekend, the team is on home ground as the 'title fight' heads to Austria, where last year Verstappen was beaten by Charles Leclerc.

However, the brilliant form of the Dutchman and the RB19, not to mention the various issues facing Ferrari, suggests that two weeks after scoring its 100th Grand Prix win, Red Bull will be celebrating its 101st.

While most would think that Marko would have been happier celebrating the milestone of its century of wins on home soil, he is actually delighted that it came in Canada, for this weekend - assuming Max or Sergio wins - will mark the 100th time Land der Berge, Land am Strome has rung out at the podium ceremony, Sebastian Vettel's victory in China in 2009 - the team's first - being marked by something entirely different.

"It's more reassuring to come to Austria with your 100th victory," says Marko. "The national anthem will be played there for the 100th time after a Red Bull victory.

"At our first in 2009 in China, they played the Blue Danube Waltz by mistake!"

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 28/06/2023 1:00

"Over a very long time I have come to the conclusion that most F1 drivers are able to produce the goods when their survival depends on it. There are some drivers that get to a stage where nothing will save them but most seem to pull out performances that have been scarce in the past and avoid the pink slip. Seat survival is a powerful tool in the right situations and I'm suggesting that Perez will gain a podium in the next two races. Will he still survive? That's anyones guess. "

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2. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 27/06/2023 12:59

"It's not a far stretch to name the 3 best drivers on the grid. 85% or more would pick the same 3 if voting were today. It would be higher than 85% if favoritism did not cloud judgement.

Expect Perez to turn it around though. I think he'll keep his seat if RBR are able to win both championships."

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3. Posted by Mad Matt, 27/06/2023 12:42

"I'm not sure it's quite as simple as "the same car", different cars have different characteristics which suit different drivers differently. Some drivers adapt well, which is a nice skill to have but if driver X drives car W the fastest today, does it matter that he can't master car Y of tomorrow? Or is it better to have driver W who can get 97% out of almost any car?

Didn't Max struggle at the beginning of last year with a car Sergio was able to master? It didn't last long but it seemed that that was more the car changing to suit Max rather than Max adapting.

As Chester says there are drivers like Fernando and Jenson, in his day, who have an awareness/intelligence for what is going on in the race and how to make the best out of what they've got.

Then there's psychology, some drivers only flourish with the right surroundings, whilst others are less sensitive.

Personally I think it's actually quite hard to compare two drivers for all of the above reasons, even if they're currently in the same team.

On the other hand that's what makes these kind of discussions fun :-)"

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4. Posted by Chester, 27/06/2023 10:55

"Max would edge out Alonso on pure speed, but depending on the race, Alonso's thinking would put him ahead."

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5. Posted by Wokingchap, 27/06/2023 10:45

"An impossibility but I wonder who would shine given all 3 the same car."

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Marko: Only two drivers can "keep up" with Max

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