Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko stands by his previous comments regarding the mental strength of Lando Norris. The Austrian questioned whether the driver has the mental fortitude to beat Max Verstappen in the title race. McLaren CEO Zak Brown reacted strongly to Marko’s comments, but the advisor remains steadfast.
Prior to the Grand Prix weekend in Austin, the Red Bull advisor made a striking statement about the mental resilience of Lando Norris. According to Marko, the Brit falls short in this area to win the championship from the mentally stronger Max Verstappen.
McLaren CEO Brown had no kind words for the Austrian advisor. “I read Helmut’s comments, which I found disappointing but not surprising,” Brown said in a conversation with the media in Austin. “Lando has been an ambassador for mental health.”
Brown therefore finds it inappropriate for Marko to question the mental strength of the young McLaren driver. “It’s a serious topic we’ve tried to talk about, to bring it to the forefront, to make it okay to talk about,” said the American. “So to choose to highlight that situation is quite inappropriate and sets us back ten, twenty years.”
Marko Defends Himself
Marko, in turn, responded to the comments of the McLaren boss. “I was asked who is going to win the world championship and then I said it will be Max, because he is mentally the strongest and because he is the fastest driver,” Marko defended his previous statements, to Motorsport Magazin. “And if you look at how often Max wins positions or maintains his position at the start and how Lando does in that, I think (it’s clear).
