Helmut Marko fires back at Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff: They are not a serious opponent

As Mercedes continue to dismiss Max Verstappen’s epic run, Helmut Marko has fired back saying Red Bull aren’t bothered by what they say as they’re “not a serious opponent”.

In a season in which Red Bull have dominated, winning 14 from 14, Verstappen has led the charge by taking 12 of those wins with the driver yet to finish below P2 on a Sunday.

He rewrote Formula 1’s record books last time out at Monza when he grabbed his 10th win on the trot, that breaking Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine set back in 2013.

Helmut Marko hits back after Mercedes’ dismissal

That had the likes of Fernando Alonso singing the 25-year-old’s praises while Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur said Verstappen has been “mega” of late.

Mercedes, though, downplayed his achievement.

托托Wolff called it a “Wikipedia” stat that “nobody reads” before doubling down on that by saying “these kinds of records are completely irrelevant”.

Hamilton agrees,telling the media including PlanetF1.com: “I mean I don’t care about statistics in general. Good for him.”

But rather than become frustrated by Mercedes’ apparent lack of respect, the teamcalled out on by Martin Brundleand Damon Hill, Marko has fired back saying they’re opinions aren’t something Red Bull bother themselves with.

“This is exactly the difference,” he said as per Motorsport.com. “We look at our own team and try to perform as well as possible.

“We are not involved with Mercedes as long as they are not a serious opponent.

“We look at ourselves, we do our best and we don’t create stories for nothing like they do.”

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Mercedes may have to take several more Verstappen records on the chin before this season is over with the Dutchman on course for the most wins in a single season, a record he owns with his 15 from 2022, the largest points tally, and the biggest winning margin.

There’s also a Formula 1 first for Red Bull on the cards with the team on course for a season’s whitewash. That would be 22 from 22, and it would extend their run for the most successive wins to 23 having broken McLaren’s record of 11 back in Belgium.

Verstappen’s form over the past two seasons has seen the Dutchman win 27 of 36 races while Mercedes have just one win at 2022’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

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