“You should get Max Verstappen”
Gerhard Berger revealed that Helmut Marko (Red Bull Racing) capitalised on Toto Wolff’s hesitation to secure Max Verstappen, despite Niki Lauda’s strong recommendation. Picture-above: Vettel, Lauda, Berger and Marko (sitting in the BRM he drove back in 1972), during a parade at the Red Bull Ring in 2014.
Berger remembers: “It was clear that he was special. One day I told Lauda, ‘You should get Max Verstappen’. He replied, ‘Who? Jos’s son? Do you think he’s good?’ I replied, ‘He’s not good, he is outstanding.”
Lauda reportedly contacted Wolff immediately, saying: “We absolutely have to get Verstappen!” However, Berger shared Wolff’s initial reaction: “Toto retorted contritely, “Why should we? We have (Valtteri) Bottas and so many good drivers in our academy.” While Mercedes deliberated, Berger revealed: “In the meantime, Helmut Marko had arrived to steal Max from him…”
Berger compared Verstappen’s mental strength to Niki Lauda’s, noting: “He’s not one to be influenced by what’s around him. He is very analytical. That’s why he reminds me a little bit of Niki Lauda. Also, he can admit when he is wrong. An interesting personality.”