This season has been a tough test for Red Bull, yet Max Verstappen managed to take home his fourth title world consecutive: a feat that, according to Helmut Marko, no other driver could have achieved at the wheel of an RB20 that was far from the best car of the lot.
Marko's belief: "Only Max could do it"
Speaking to the Austrian newspaper oe24, Marko highlighted how Verstappen's talent was crucial to the final result: “No other rider than Max would have won the world championship with us this year. We didn’t have the best car. Drivers from rival teams won more races, a sign of how difficult it was to maintain competitiveness.”
Red Bull has in fact struggled for much of the season against more performing opponents such as McLaren and Ferrari. According to Marko, however, Verstappen would have been able to win the World Championship even at the wheel of one of those cars: “With a McLaren or a Ferrari he would probably have finished the championship even earlier."
A season of sacrifices
With eight wins in 22 races, Verstappen has seen his dominance diminish compared to previous years. The RB20, described as “inconsistent” by Marko himself, has not lived up to expectations, forcing the team to work hard to maintain a competitive level.
The Red Bull consultant doesn't hide: “Next year we have to do more. We need a car that is always in front, we can't afford a car that is so unfriendly. But when Max has the right car, he will know what to do."

Red Bull and the challenges ahead
In addition to the Drivers' World Championship, the 2024 season also saw Red Bull struggle in the Constructors' Championship. With two races still to go, the team sits in third place, behind McLaren and Ferrari, and the chances of confirming the 2023 title now seem gone.
The growth of rivals has highlighted the limitations of the current project, but for Marko 2024 represents an opportunity to lay solid foundations for the future: “Concluding the season on a high is essential to restart with a stronger car in 2025. Max is ready, we just need to give him the right means”.
Source statements: FormulaPassion