Helmut Marko insists Max Verstappen has now mastered the one skill Lewis Hamilton had over him

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The rivalry that fuelled one of the greatest seasons in Formula 1 history between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in 2021 has been on hold for the past few years.

Red Bull and Mercedes went to war that year, and an incredibly controversial end to the season saw Max Verstappen become the first Dutch champion in F1 history.

It left Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff and the rest of the Mercedes team shattered, and the Silver Arrows haven’t recovered since.

Verstappen is now a four-time world champion, but since the end of the 2021 season, Hamilton has only won twice.

It means that fans have been denied a continuation of the battle between two of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history.

What do you make of Max Verstappen’s preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 season?

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There is plenty of speculation about Ferrari’s 2026 car, while Verstappen is relying on Red Bull’s partnership with Ford to start on the front foot to put him into title contention.

Helmut Marko, Verstappen’s long-time confidante at Red Bull, will be absent from the paddock for the first time in the team’s history this year.

He’s now suggested that Verstappen is the ‘master’ of one of Hamilton’s most valuable skills on the track.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Helmut Marko thinks Max Verstappen is now the ‘master’ tyre expert on the Formula 1 grid

In an interview with F1 Insider after his exit from Red Bull had been confirmed, Marko was speaking about Verstappen.

He was making a comparison between the 28-year-old Dutchman and F1’s only posthumous champion, Jochen Rindt, and went on to say: “Of course. There were no simulators, no sensors. Back then, the ‘seat-of-the-pants feel’ was crucial.

“Driving skill could compensate for a lot. Today, the rule is: if you’re not in the right car, even the greatest talent won’t help you – you simply can’t compete at the front.

Who is the ‘master’ tyre expert currently on the Formula 1 grid?

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“Max is an exception in this regard. He shows that you can win races with a car that isn’t absolutely top-of-the-line – because of his incredible car control and because he’s learned so much.

“In 221, Hamilton was still the better tyre expert – now Max is the master in that area as well.”

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

Helmut Marko reveals how easy negotiations were with Max Verstappen over ‘most expensive’ F1 contract

One topic that’s likely to be heavily discussed throughout 2026 is Verstappen’s Red Bull future.

A clause in Verstappen’s contract could facilitate an early exit from his deal, which expires in 2028, with plenty of teams keeping a close eye on his situation.

However, Verstappen has suggested he’s happy at Red Bull for now, although whether that mood changes based on the team’s performance is yet to be seen.

Discussing how Verstappen went about negotiating his new deal, Marko said: “I’m pleased to hear that. But [Dietrich] Mateschitz built a global corporation. I conveyed the ideas and requirements for motorsport to him, briefly explaining what it was all about.

“The longest and most expensive Formula 1 contract, with Max Verstappen, was the quickest to secure.

“Mateschitz knew: without Verstappen, we wouldn’t be world champions again. He immediately grasped what it was all about.

“He couldn’t know the details – that was my job: to present and explain why we were doing something.”