Helmut Marko praises Max Verstappen's GT3 triumph, backs F1 title fight

Dr Helmut Marko believes Max Verstappen's stunning GT3 success at the Nurburgring proves the Dutchman still has what it takes to mount "the greatest comeback of all time" in Formula 1 this season.

On his GT3 debut, Verstappen took victory at the daunting Nordschleife in a Ferrari 296 GT3, with Red Bull advisor Marko admitting he tuned into the live stream along with countless fans. "It's unbelievable how Max did it," he told Osterreich.

"Just the start and the first corner, the way he overtook the two in front of him - that was once again Verstappen-like. No one else can do that. He gave the second driver a minute's lead. He does similar things in the Formula 1 car, too."

The 82-year-old dismissed the notion that Verstappen should stick only to Formula 1. "Max is simply a fanatical racing driver and seizes every opportunity. That just suits him. In my day, I drove everything, too."

Le Mans is off-limits for Verstappen for now, but Marko indicated that further GT3 outings are possible "if the Formula 1 championship allows it."

He even suggested the idea of a future father-son entry: "Jos stays in shape through rallying. He's very fast there. When Max retires, I can very well imagine that," said the Austrian.

For now, Verstappen turns his attention back to Singapore, where he trails both McLarens including title leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points in the championship. "With the victory in Baku, the hope has been revived," said Marko.

"If Max can overturn it, it would be the greatest comeback of all time." Red Bull technical chief Pierre Wache also told Auto Motor und Sport that the team won't stop pushing even with rivals already focusing near-exclusively on their 2026 cars.

"If we see the opportunity to win a world championship and further development is necessary, then we'll do it. We won't give anything away," said the Frenchman.