Not Verstappen and Perez: Marko names strongest driver duo in F1
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- Corwin Kunst
Striking! The Max Verstappen-Sergio Perez duo is not the strongest on the Formula 1 grid, according to Helmut Marko. The Red Bull Racing advisor argues that McLaren currently has the best driver duo under contract. The 81-year-old Austrian is impressed by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Max Verstappen is the very best driver of the moment, as Marko has loudly proclaimed several times. But adding Perez - who last week extended his contract at Red Bull by two seasons - does not automatically make the strongest line-up.
Indeed, in Marko's view, those are Norris and Piastri. "They are both young, focused and hungry. At the moment, they get along well and work well together. One day they will compete for the championship title, both in drivers and constructors," he told Le Journal.
Piastri going strong
Marko hinted earlier that Red Bull is definitely interested in Norris, but that his long-term contract at McLaren prevents interest from becoming serious. But Piastri is also aiming high in the king class of motorsport.
The 23-year-old driver is only in his second season in Formula 1, but seems to have needed little adjustment time. "We have only just seen the beginning. He has a bright future ahead of him."