Issued with a written warning from the FIA for his controversial comments regarding Sergio Perez, Helmut Marko has spoken of things being “deliberately controlled” but wouldn’t go into detail. Marko courted controversy earlier this month when he made comments about Sergio Perez’s nationality playing a role in his failure to challenge Max Verstappen on a consistent basis. He apologised on Red Bull-owned broadcaster ServusTV for his “offensive remark”, adding: “I want to make it absolutely clear that I do not believe that we can generalise about the people from any country, any race, any ethnicity. Helmut Marko: A lot of things were deliberately controlled “I was trying to make a point that Checo has fluctuated in his performance this year, but it was wrong to attribute this to his cultural heritage” The FIA wasn’t impressed and slapped the Red Bull motorsport advisor with a written warning. Motorsport’s governing body said in a statement: “We can confirm that Helmut Marko … [Read more...] about Helmut Marko talks of things being ‘deliberately controlled’ in the wake of Perez apology
Helmut marko kvyat
Marko explains his refusal to let Verstappen tackle the Nurburgring Norschleife
Allowing Max Verstappen to drive a Formula 1 car on the Nurburgring Nordschleife would be too high a risk, says Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Red Bull will hold its ‘Formula Nurburgring’ at the former home of the German Grand Prix in November. Daniel Ricciardo , who returned to the team as a reserve and test driver this year, will demonstrate one of their former F1 cars on the Nurburgring’s full Nordschleife layout. Yuki Tsunoda , who drives for Red Bull’s second F1 team AlphaTauri, will also appear at the event. He will drive a Honda NSX GT3 Evo. However Marko made it clear Verstappen was not allowed to join the event, even in an old F1 car running on demonstration tyres. He said the reigning world champion, who is on his way to a third consecutive title, could not resist the temptation to tackle the lap record around the perilously quick circuit. “It’s basically a show run, so you don’t have the … [Read more...] about Marko explains his refusal to let Verstappen tackle the Nurburgring Norschleife
Twist in Lando Norris to Red Bull talk as team face ‘luxury problem’
Red Bull have reportedly “postponed” their hunt for Lando Norris until 2025 after Helmut Marko described the “luxury problem” they are facing. Norris at 23 is one of the hottest properties in Formula 1 and while his team-mate signed a new deal in the build-up to the Singapore Grand Prix, there is still talk of where the Brit will be racing in a few years. His current McLaren contract runs until the end of 2025 but there have been increased reports that Red Bull may be sniffing around to try and secure his signature. Red Bull reportedly postpone Lando Norris talks According to Blick journalist Roger Benoit, the Milton Keynes outfit have postponed any potential enticing of Norris until the 2025 season as they focus on their existing pairing of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Helmut Marko has also said the team have a “luxury problem” of four seats and at least five drivers competing to be in them. “We almost have a luxury problem. Anyone who doesn’t drive in our B team next … [Read more...] about Twist in Lando Norris to Red Bull talk as team face ‘luxury problem’
Verstappen reveals role he played in helping De Vries get AlphaTauri drive
Max Verstappen revealed how he helped fellow Dutch racer Nyck de Vries land a drive at Red Bull’s junior team next season. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free AlphaTauri confirmed today that De Vries will be part of their 2023 driver line-up. He impressed the team with his one-off performance for Williams as a substitute in the Italian Grand Prix. “I knew this already coming here,” said Verstappen after today’s qualifying session. “But of course this is incredible for him. He’s been pushing hard for it for a long time and to finally get that opportunity is amazing for him.” Verstappen revealed he encouraged De Vries to contact Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko about a drive following his impressive showing at Monza. Marko would be in a good mood following Verstappen’s victory in the race, he told De Vries. “I think after Monza there was no real discussion anymore,” said Verstappen. “Helmut is the guy who when he likes something he is daring … [Read more...] about Verstappen reveals role he played in helping De Vries get AlphaTauri drive
Former F1 driver solves Red Bull ‘luxury problem’ in blow for Sergio Perez
Six-time F1 race winner Ralf Schumacher believes the Red Bull driver picture for F1 2024 is actually “relatively clear” and involves Sergio Perez losing his seat to make space for Daniel Ricciardo. From the outside it seems as though the Red Bull line-up is pretty much set for F1 2024, with Perez retaining his seat alongside Max Verstappen into the final year of his contract. That then leaves a three-way battle between Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson for the two seats with Red Bull’s junior team AlphaTauri. Writing on the wall for Sergio Perez? But, with this trio of drivers gunning for two seats having been described by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko as a “luxury problem”, Schumacher believes there is a different route that Red Bull can and already have embarked on. Ricciardo’s ultimate aim is to return to the Red Bull line-up, and Schumacher reckons that ambition will be realised for the Aussie next season, leaving Perez out in the cold. “I believe the answer is … [Read more...] about Former F1 driver solves Red Bull ‘luxury problem’ in blow for Sergio Perez
Ex-Red Bull driver pinpoints moment of ‘mental disintegration’ for Sergio Perez in 2023
Mark Webber believes it was the Miami Grand Prix that served as a “mental disintegration” for Sergio Perez in his bid to win the title. Heading to the first of three US races in 2023, Perez was on an even keel with team-mate Max Verstappen. Both had won two races and although Perez trailed Verstappen in the standings, it was only by six points compared to the now 152-point gap. But the race in Miami saw Verstappen take the lead off Perez before going on a run of 10 consecutive victories. At the same time, Perez’s form fell away dramatically, most notably in qualifying. Miami Grand Prix ‘disintegrated’ Sergio Perez’s confidence While Verstappen may seem like a single-minded robot in his ability to block out noise, Perez has sometimes appeared to be a little more led by his emotions. A run of five consecutive non-appearances in Q3 seemed to be playing on his mind but Webber reckons the crux of his problems came Stateside. “He started the season off pretty strong,” Webber said … [Read more...] about Ex-Red Bull driver pinpoints moment of ‘mental disintegration’ for Sergio Perez in 2023
Lewis Hamilton’s suspicions about Red Bull, and Sebastian Vettel comeback talk renewed – F1 news round-up
Thursday marked media day at Suzuka ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, where the world waits agog to see how Red Bull get along… Following their drubbing at last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, all eyes are on Red Bull to see whether the World Champion team bounce back to their usual strength at a track that looks tailor-made for their car. It’s led to some tasty headlines, with Lewis Hamilton weighing in on their underperformance, while there’s plenty of other news from up and down the grid. Let’s look through the big F1 news stories from Thursday! Lewis Hamilton watching to see extent of Red Bull dominance With Red Bull’s RB19 failing to make it into Q3 before a subdued race on Sunday in Singapore, Lewis Hamilton says a bad result for Red Bull in Japan would confirm that ‘something’s up’ following the FIA’s recent introduction of a technical directive aimed at curtailing flexing bodywork and joints. “I would think that if they’re not 30 seconds ahead like they have done in … [Read more...] about Lewis Hamilton’s suspicions about Red Bull, and Sebastian Vettel comeback talk renewed – F1 news round-up
Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 future decided as AlphaTauri 2024 line-up is confirmed
After weeks of speculation, AlphaTauri have confirmed their driver line-up for the 2024 F1 season and outlined Daniel Ricciardo’s future. Ricciardo has secured a full-time return to an F1 seat, with the former Red Bull race winner completing just two races so far this season after being parachuted in to replace the struggling Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri. The Italian squad, who will race under a new identity in 2024, have confirmed Ricciardo as one of their full-time races for 2024, with Yuki Tsunoda retained in the second seat after a late challenge from the impressive Liam Lawson. The Kiwi driver will revert to reserve driver status with Red Bull and AlphaTauri, attending all the Grands Prix in 2024. AlphaTauri confirm drivers for F1 2024 season Tsunoda will stay on with AlphaTauri for a fourth consecutive season since entering the sport with the Red Bull junior team for 2021. His announcement, coming during his home Grand Prix at Suzuka, has seen the former F1 wildchild … [Read more...] about Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 future decided as AlphaTauri 2024 line-up is confirmed
‘Real deal’ Alex Albon tipped for return to top seat after sparkling Williams form
Alex Albon is the “real deal” and deserves another shot at a top Formula 1 race seat, that’s according to former Aston Martin strategy engineer Bernie Collins. In his five seasons in Formula 1, Albon has gone through the elation of securing a race seat when he thought the Formula 1 door was shut, the excitement but trepidation of being promoted to Red Bull after just 12 races, and the heartache of being demoted to a reserve role after two years on the grid. Today he’s going through the steps, although it is fair to say in his case leaps, of rebuilding his career with his performances with Williams catching the attention of some of the sport’s top teams. Is Alex Albon worthy of a top drive? Linked to a return to Red Bull, although Helmut Marko has since quashed that, Albon has also been mentioned along with Ferrari. For now, though, he’s a Williams driver. The Thai-British racer has a contract through to the end of next season, potentially even until the end of 2025, but … [Read more...] about ‘Real deal’ Alex Albon tipped for return to top seat after sparkling Williams form