Red Bull talk up Verstappen's title chances

Helmut Marko believes Max Verstappen can lead a late-season title charge, with his stunning recent form poised to roll on at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Having won two of the last three races, Verstappen secured his maiden Formula 1 pole position at the Hungaroring, a track Red Bull have typically been strong at.

After a struggle early in the season, which saw Verstappen take two podiums in the first nine races, the Dutchman is the form driver in the grid.

"The package of Honda, Max and Red Bull Racing is growing together and becoming a really strong unit," said Marko.

"The whole package is getting more and more competitive and we look forward to the second half of the year."

On Red Bull's title chances, Marko added: "It's a theoretical possibility. We do not want to exclude this with our performance in the last races, so if we continue like this, it's not an impossible thing!

"It was just like the victories in Austria and in Hockenheim. The other teams have not had any problems, which shows that our competitiveness is getting better and better."

Verstappen pinpointed an aerodynamic upgrade brought to Austria as crucial behind his recent upturn, but Marko was quick to spread the praise to engine supplier Honda.

"It was a near-perfect lap, everything was fine, but the whole package played a role here," he said.

"Honda was optimally prepared for the engine, and the continuous development of the chassis does the rest - we've brought new parts here."

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