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Marko: 'Common sense' must prevail for Verstappen and Hamilton

Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko believes that "common sense' will prevail in the future for F1's title protagonists Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

The pair suffered its first major flash point at the British Grand Prix in July where Verstappen crashed heavily after Hamilton had made contact with the Dutchman's car.

While there were no skirmishes to report in the following two races, the dueling duo came together again at Monza where Verstappen attempted to force the issue at the first chicane only for both cars to slide off into the gravel trap and into retirement.

Asked whether the dueling duo could ever be bound by a friendship, Marko suggested that a fondness between the pair wasn't necessary, but that mutual respect was indispensable.

"No, I don't think so. They are two completely different characters," Marko told RTL. "These are also two different individuals with different philosophies and different approaches.

"That's all now been a little stirred up, but they don't have to be enemies either. There has to be mutual respect, that's enough."

Read also - Berger: Hamilton/Verstappen tug-of-war 'exactly what F1 needs'

Marko said that he had sat down and talked to Verstappen after the Dutchman's run-in at Monza, but the Red Bull motorsport boss admitted that there is little he can do to influence his driver when out on track.

"From our side, we try to influence Max so that there is mutual respect and collisions are avoided," said the Austrian.

"However, they remain drivers and once the visor goes down, everything is forgotten.

"Hamilton is the most successful driver and very experienced and Max has also completed more than 100 Grands Prix.

"I think common sense will prevail for both of them."

Marko insisted that Red Bull wants to beat archrival Mercedes fair and square, and not depend on the random outcomes of on-track events or collisions.

"We are ahead in theory," he said. "But we want to extend our lead with resounding results, and not by saving our lead at the end of the season with eight collisions."

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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.