Helmut Marko claims it is ‘strange’ to see Audi making pressure in F1 driver market amidst Carlos Sainz rumors

The second seat at Red Bull is up for grabs amidst Sergio Perez's contract extension saga.

Helmut Marko claims it is ‘strange’ to see Audi making pressure in F1 driver market amidst Carlos Sainz rumors

Helmut Marko and Carlos Sainz (Via: Imago)

Red Bull has a vacant seat available for 2025, even after Sergio Perez‘s strong start to the 2024 F1 season, the team is not sure about next year. This could be because the Mexican started the last season in good form as well before his massive mid-season slump.

Red Bull wants to see if Sergio Perez can maintain this strong form throughout the remainder of the year and has thus, spoken multiple times about how the team is not in a rush to fill the seat. Following this, Helmut Marko has spoken about how the Milton-Keynes team will not be forced to make a decision early due to Audi’s pressure in the driver market before their entry in 2026.

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Carlos Sainz is one of the top candidates to fill the 2025 Red Bull seat.

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The driver market has exploded in April, and normally no one talks [about it] in April. It is ridiculous, but we won’t jump into this game ourselves. We will wait and see, and only then make the best choice later on.I don’t know what is going on. I have heard that Audi is making pressure, but it is a little bit strange for a newcomer to make pressure on the driver market.

Helmut Marko during an interview with Motorsport

This seems to be regarding Carlos Sainz‘s possibility of becoming a Red Bull driver in 2025 as the Spaniard is in scintillating form. The Spaniard still hasn’t gotten himself a drive for next year and is one of the top candidates for Audi in 2026. But, as of now, Marko and Red Bull are in no rush to commit to a driver for 2025 even after the pressure from the German manufacturer. Audi is potentially trying to announce their driver line-up for 2026 as early as next year.

Helmut Marko gives his take on Toto Wolff’s recent comments regarding Max Verstappen

Following Red Bull’s third 1-2 finish this year at the Japanese Grand Prix, Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff spoke about how Max Verstappen won’t be challenged by anyone else for the remainder of the season. The Austrian added that the Dutchman will easily win his fourth consecutive World Championship.

Helmut Marko and Toto Wolff (Via IMAGO)
Helmut Marko and Toto Wolff (Via IMAGO)

These comments from Wolff made Helmut Marko a little flustered, and during his interview with OE24, he replied to them. Marko spoke about how things can change any time in F1 and Red Bull shouldn’t be complacent as Ferrari has proved quite strong this season.

Please leave me alone!, We’ve only done four races, 20 more to come. In Melbourne we saw how quickly everything can change. Ferrari is strong and reliable, we can’t write them off yet.

Helmut Marko during an interview with OE24

Marko added how the F1 calendar still has 20 races remaining and things can change at any time. The Red Bull consultant was adamant about his team still having a lot of work to do to secure 2024’s Drivers and Constructors World Championship.

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