Better Than Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez? Helmut Marko Reveals the Best F1 Pairing - Speedway Digest

Red Bull Racing shook up the Formula 1 driver market with a double announcement. Recently, they confirmed Yuki Tsunoda’s extension, and also opted to retain Sergio Perez for the 2025 season.

However, cracks emerged in Red Bull’s united front when the team’s director Helmut Marko expressed reservations about the Perez extension during a Q&A with Le Journal de Montreal.

Max Verstappen’s recent victory at the Canadian Grand Prix solidified his dominance, marking his 60th career win. At the same time, rumors persist of Mercedes attempting to lure him away despite his long-term contract with Red Bull that extends to 2028.

On top of this, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko threw a surprise curveball, suggesting McLaren boasts the best driver pairing on the grid with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Here’s what the former Austrian driver replied when he was asked about the best driver duo in the paddock:

“Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at McLaren. They are young and they are hungry. Currently, they get along well and work well together.”

Marko’s praise for McLaren’s driver pairing could fuel speculation of a rift within Red Bull. Team Principal Christian Horner and Marko haven’t always been on the same page recently, with reports suggesting a disagreement over Yuki Tsunoda’s future.

This discord could be a golden opportunity for Mercedes. According to Toto Wolff, the brand wouldn’t rule out hiring Marko to potentially influence Verstappen’s future allegiance. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez’s recent struggles, including crashes in Monaco and Canada, add another layer of complexity to Red Bull’s driver situation.

Perez’s string of setbacks recently, including crashes and underwhelming qualifying performances, raises concerns about his ability to consistently deliver at the top level. While Red Bull managed to secure a win in Canada despite his ‘Did Not Finish’, Ferrari’s double retirement masked the true picture.

McLaren, on the other hand, demonstrated the importance of strong driver pairing with a podium and a top-five finish, even without a clear pace advantage. This puts pressure on Red Bull to re-evaluate their strategy if they want to retain the Constructors’ Championship.

Despite whispers of internal conflict at Red Bull, the team continues to be a top pick for sports bettors. Red Bull has been a popular pick among sports gamblers lately, fueled by Max Verstappen’s dominant run. After all, he’s already claimed a staggering six first-place finishes this season. Understandably, this has put Red Bull at the top of bookmakers’ odds to win the season.

Betting sites in Canada that have found significant popularity amongst Canadians bettors are heavily behind the team in 2024. Most are backing Red Bull to excel at the remaining Grand Prix events of the season and hold on to their top spot. McLaren is closing in, but they might have to stay content with a second place finish as Verstappen is showing no signs of slowing down.

Yuki Tsunoda will get to play his part in Red Bull’s dominant season as well. Even though there have been reports that Marko is not a big fan of the Japanese driver, he was full of praise for the 24-year-old.

“Yuki has changed a lot since his arrival in F1, said Marko recently. “He has really improved in his development. He is an emotional driver and he manages to limit his mistakes. He was in demand by other teams. He is young and he fits our mold. This is why we have just extended his contract for another year.”

The Japanese driver has impressed in his first full season, scoring points in five out of the eight races held so far. Red Bull, the team that oversees AlphaTauri’s driver development, exercised their option to keep Tsunoda on board, suggesting confidence in his future potential.

“I’m very happy to be staying with Visa Cash App RB and it’s a good feeling to have my future decided so early in the year,” Tsunoda said after the announcement.

“The team has a big development project ahead and I’m excited to be part of it. It’s great to know that everyone appreciates all the hard work I have put in and that the team believes I can help it move further up the grid.”