Marko: Verstappen now at 'different level of maturity'

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Helmut Marko believes that Max Verstappen's dominant win in the Monaco Grand Prix proves that the Red Bull driver has now reached "a different level of maturity".

Verstappen inherited pole position at the start of last Sunday's race following the forced withdrawal of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

And the Dutchman seized upon that good fortune to run away with the race after a flawless and controlled drive that received widespread acclaim, especially from Red Bull's motorsport boss.

"He has certainly reached a different level of maturity," Marko told Sky Germany. "We kept him on his toes with fuel modes and such. He had to understand quite a lot.

"When he started asking who had the fastest lap and with what time, we immediately blocked him and told him: ‘Forget all that!’"

Read also: Perez still just 'too weak' in qualifying - Marko

In the closing stages of the 78-lap event, Mercedes Lewis Hamilton made a late pitstop to fit a fresh set of soft tyres that enabled the Briton to snatch the fastest lap and add an extra point to his seventh-place tally.

But the effort still wasn't good enough to prevent Verstappen from overhauling the seven-time world champion at the top of the Drivers' championship standings.

Beyond Verstappen's dominant display in the Principality, Marko reckoned that a prestigious win in Monaco will only add to his driver's confidence and aura.

"We haven't had a podium here yet [with Max], although we've had a car that can win twice - Ricciardo proved that, after all," Marko said.

"I think that gives him another boost of relief. It should make his performances even more confident and controlled.

"That was also very, very important for the future."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.