Key Max Verstappen figure rules out F1 title defence: 'It's impossible'

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has finally ruled Max Verstappen out of defending his 2024 F1 drivers' title, following a challenging Hungarian Grand Prix.  Verstappen started from eighth but actually finished a position lower in ninth, despite several excellent overtakes, particularly into Turn 6 in the early stages.  To add to the Dutchman's woes, McLaren secured yet another one-two, with Lando Norris securing victory ahead of Oscar Piastri.  As a result, Verstappen has fallen to 97 points adrift, making Marko now rule the four-time world champion out of retaining his crown. "It's impossible, clearly," he replied to media, on if Verstappen's title chances are over.  Despite the Milton Keynes-based outfit's difficulties, Marko had long still believed this season could be Verstappen's. It represents the first time he has ruled the 27-year-old out of the title fight. The Hungaroring was a nightmare for Red Bull and Verstappen, with a two-stop strategy having not worked for the reigning world champion.  In hindsight, Marko wishes a one-stop had been conducted, considering the pace Verstappen had at times. "[Red Bull's performance was] inferior, but I think one stop would have been better, because overtaking was really difficult," added Marko. "So maybe sixth or fifth [was possible], but the speed, which was funny, two or three laps, [Verstappen] was doing the same laps like the leaders, 1:19.5, but we believe we know what went wrong." Following a bad start, Verstappen did briefly progress to fifth, before completing a second pit-stop.  Unfortunately, too much time was lost with the second pit-stop, as those battling for fifth were on one-stop strategies. "The first stops, the tyres were gone, and the second stop, we thought we could overtake. But as we saw for a couple of laps, yes, the speed was there, but then it was over."