Marko on Checo's race: "He crashed into the wall at the entrance to the pits. I think he got the five-second penalty there too. "He was lucky again that the race was stopped, because otherwise he would not have been able to save this fourth place."
Formula 1 Hot News

F1: Marko hits reverse after Perez comments backlash

Andrew Maitland

(GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has hit reverse gear following backlash about his comments linking Sergio Perez’s nationality with his F1 driving style.

The powerful Red Bull advisor had told the energy drink company’s own Servus TV broadcaster that because Mexican Perez is “South American”, he is “just not as completely focused in his head as Max (Verstappen) is or Sebastian (Vettel) is”.

Sergio Perez out again in Q1 talks to Dr. Helmut Marko. "Perez has some weaknesses, this can’t be denied if one car takes pole and the other can’t even exit Q1. But there is nobody who would be a viable replacement for him right now."
Sergio Perez out again in Silverstone Q1 talks to Dr. Helmut Marko. “Perez has some weaknesses, this can’t be denied if one car takes pole and the other can’t even exit Q1. But there is nobody who would be a viable replacement for him right now.”

His critics called the comments racist, while organizers of the Mexican GP also condemned Marko.

“Inappropriate comments have no place in any area, including sports,” a statement posted in Spanish read.

“What is important now is that steps are taken to prevent this from happening again, and an apology is made where necessary. We encourage everyone to build a more respectful and united community in Formula 1.”

Austrian Marko, 80, duly told the Osterreich newspaper amid the backlash: “I didn’t mean it that way.

“I meant that a Mexican has a different mentality than a German or a Dutchman. But who knows. Maybe he is able to control himself.”

A statement attributed to Marko, who has previously admitted that his Red Bull contract runs until the end of 2024, was also posted on the Servus TV website.

“I would like to make it clear that I am firmly convinced that you cannot generalize people, regardless of their culture, nationality or ethnic origin,” he said.

“It was wrong to make a reference to his origins. I would like to apologize for that.”

Some analysts, however, believe Marko is determined to keep the pressure on Perez, who technically has a valid contract with Red Bull through 2024.

“I think that after the season so far, it is important to be in an environment in the next races in which I have the feeling that I am contributing something,” Perez told DAZN Espana last week.

“If this feeling is missing in 2024, I’ll have to look for alternatives.”