The three drivers who could have proved Helmut Marko wrong after Max Verstappen F1 title claim

Follow us on Google Discover

It’s fairly agreeable to say that Max Verstappen deserved the 2024 Formula 1 crown and that he was the best driver overall.

Working without a dominant Red Bull car as he had for a few years, he reminded everyone why he is highly regarded as one of the best of all time.

Keeping himself in the fight for races in which he had no right to compete, and claiming the title with grands prix to spare was a showing of a true champion.

Lando Norris ran him close, but he still had more gas left in the tank, while McLaren pushed themselves to the absolute limit.

Which three Formula 1 drivers could have won the 2024 title in a Red Bull?

After Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko told OE24:

“Yes, because in that, he is absolutely right. This year, no driver other than Max would have won the World Championship for us. He definitely did not have the best car.”

But is he right? There are plenty of other talented drivers on the grid with whom the Dutchman has gone head-to-head and lost before – so which of them could have done what he did in his car?

Starting with his main rival, Lando Norris, the McLaren driver demonstrated speed, consistency and an ability to learn throughout the year.

READ MORE: Zak Brown drops ‘keeping score’ hint after Oscar Piastri helped Lando Norris title bid at McLaren

In a Red Bull which was so dominant at the start of the year, and up against someone of Sergio Perez’s current form, he quite easily could have managed a championship.

The next nod goes to Charles Leclerc – who has taken countless pole positions during his career without converting them into wins.

A lot of that is down to a Ferrari car which is suited to qualifying, so what could he have done in a car suited to racing too? I think he could have won it all…

Russell could have beaten Verstappen – but Hamilton couldn’t?

The last driver who could have claimed the title in Verstappen’s machinery is a Mercedes one – George Russell.

I hear groans of ‘Why not Lewis Hamilton?’ from behind the screen – and I’ll tell you why.

The qualifying battle between the two this year hasn’t even been close. Yes, Hamilton may be on his way to a rival team next year and may have given up, but Russell has dominated him 14-8.

To do that against a seven-time champion regardless, is an incredible effort, and their Vegas performance was the perfect indication of the trend.

READ MORE: Unbroadcast Mercedes radio highlights key difference between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in 2024

Hamilton just couldn’t pull it together when it mattered in qualifying – something which Perez has shown is equally important in a Red Bull this year.

That put Russell in a better position to win in Las Vegas as he capitalised on a winning situation – no mistakes were made, and that’s Verstappen-esque.

His improvements in consistency and racecraft have been noticeable and he should only get better as he gains more experience.

So there you have it – Norris, Leclerc and Russell all could have won in a Red Bull. But, who else, if anyone, do you think could have done so?