Helmut Marko not ruling out a Max Verstappen title shot this season

Red Bull Racing motorsport advisor Helmut Marko is not ruling out Max Verstappen catching Lewis Hamilton this season in the fight for the 2019 drivers' championship.

Verstappen has won two out of the past three races; including Sunday's thriller in Hockenheim, to put himself into contention. All of Verstappen's title rivals essentially crashed out of the race in Germany, but Verstappen impressed in the soaking conditions.

"Max drove sensationally again," Marko said to Auto Motor und Sport. "The way he recovered from his spin, that was Senna-style. When he had a clear track, he was world's faster than anyone else.

"Also, our pit-stops were optimal, we just made a mistake when we pulled out the medium tyres on the second stop. But that was understandable given the hectic rush."

Verstappen is third in the standings, behind Valtteri Bottas and Hamilton; sitting 41 points adrift of the five-time world champion at the top of the leaderboard. 

"I would not rule it out," Marko replied when asked if Verstappen could take this season's title away from Hamilton. "Max has proven he can overtake Mercedes and Ferrari on track. In England, he could have finished second had he not been stuck behind Leclerc for so long.

"And Hockenheim has shown that Mercedes can make mistakes if we can put pressure on them properly."