Red Bull fears Verstappen's career will be shortened

Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko believes the 2021 title race will shorten Max Verstappen's career.

Verstappen and seven-time world champion Hamilton have had an unprecedented classic clash in the 2021 season, a tortuous season in which both drivers made it to Abu Dhabi's season finale with the same points.

Hamilton was ahead of Verstappen at the start of the race, and the road to victory and a record-breaking eighth world title looked smooth, but a belated safety car changed the situation. The Dutch stopped for a new soft tyre, and on the last lap Verstappen used the tyre advantage to overtake Hamilton and win the race, thus winning the first world title of his career.

Understandably, that epic 22 races caused great wear and tear for Red Bull Racing and Verstappen himself. If Verstappen had more of these chances to win the title in the coming years, Marco would surely have thought it would reduce the time of the Dutchman's career.

Marko said: "We have all reached our limits, and you are also susceptible to the virus. Thankfully, some people only contracted the coronavirus after Abu Dhabi (including Red Bull team leader Christian Horner). Max also said he couldn't stand the intensity anymore. He still wants to drive for a while, but if that's the case every year, then his career is limited. ”

However, Verstappen will definitely return in 2022 and he hopes to successfully defend the drivers' championship at Red Bull Racing. Verstappen will exercise the right to be champions, and his car RB18 will carry the "1" for the first time, which means that Verstappen's No. 33 will have to be on hold for at least one season.

Sebastian Vettel was the last driver to use the "1" in the 2014 season, after he won the drivers' championship for the fourth time.