Unlike his teammate Max Verstappen who has taken victory after victory, his teammate Sergio Perez has had up and down performances. Helmut Marco also paid attention to this. However, the Red Bull Motorsport consultant started a racism scandal on the Sport & Talk program on ServatTV after the Italian Grand Prix. The Styrian, 80, attributed the Mexican’s up-and-down performances to his origins.
“He’s South American, he can’t concentrate like Verstappen or Sebastian Vettel.” This sentence was criticized a lot. This sentence angered many fans, especially X, on Twitter at first. There was also great resentment over the Styrian’s lack of knowledge of geography, as he transferred Mexico from North to South America.
Marco then returned and wrote a statement: “In the context of my interview on the Sport und Talk program on Servus TV on Monday, September 4, I would like to make it clear that I am firmly convinced that people, regardless of culture, Nationality or ethnic origin cannot be generalized,” Marco said on the station’s homepage.
Furthermore, Marko wanted to underline that “although Checo drove a great race at Monza, there may be big ups and downs in Checo’s performance this year. It was wrong to make the connection to his origins. I deeply apologize for this. Would like to.” In the interview, Helmut Marko also had words of praise for Pérez: “The Italian GP was definitely one of Checo Pérez’s best weekends. It was not easy with George Russell. and ferrari driver To get ahead of the three riders because we knew they were fast on the straight. Perez is in the running Everything turned out well.”
This is not Helmut Marko’s first scandal. In early August 2021, he told Sergio Pérez on Sky: “As a South American, he usually has a lot of ups and downs.” In any case, the Mexican’s future at Red Bull is uncertain. Not because of what Marko said, but because the Red Bull Motorsport consultant has recently brought in Lando Norris as his successor.
Pérez himself also said on DAZN España: “I think after the season so far it is important to be in an environment in the next race where I feel I can contribute something. If that feeling is missing in 2024 I will look for options.” Will have to search.
