Top 5 outrageous comments made by Helmut Marko in 2023

Helmut Marko, the seasoned advisor for Red Bull, has been an integral part of the team since its inception in Formula One back in 2005. He led the team to 6 titles during his tenure. Recognized for his pivotal role in steering Red Bull’s renowned driver development program, Marko’s influence on the team has been significant. 

Marko holds a reputation for being a forthright and candid figure within the F1 paddock. While this trait has defined his persona, it has, on occasion, led to comments that are perceived as outrageous and, at times, objectionable and vile. Red Bull, wary of potential PR backlash, is limiting Marko’s public presence. So let’s shine a spotlight on Marko’s top five most controversial statements of 2023, which have landed him in hot waters.

5. Helmut Marko unequivocally rejects Sergio Perez’s title contention

Sergio Perez has been a title contender in the first few races where he traded victories with his championship-winning teammate, Max Verstappen. However, the challenge fiddled after the Monaco GP. In a decisive blow to Perez’s title aspirations, Marko declared the end of the Mexican driver’s championship challenge. 

After the Monaco Grand Prix, where Perez failed to score points and Verstappen clinched victory, Marko confidently declared, “That’s over.” The points gap widened to 39, signaling a significant setback for Perez. Marko’s assessment not only emphasized Verstappen’s perceived dominance but also questioned Perez’s capability to challenge the Dutch driver.

Marko, speaking to Oe24, asserted that Verstappen, Perez’s teammate and championship rival, “never saw Perez as a serious threat.” Despite a close battle in the early races, Perez’s qualifying missteps, notably in Australia and Monaco, proved costly. In the broader context of outrageous comments made in 2023, Marko’s dismissal of Perez as a title contender stands out, showcasing the blunt communication style for which he is known.

4. Helmut Marko labels Nyck deVries’ signing a mistake

AlphaTauri was the team that had four different drivers drive for them over the course of the 2023 season. While Yuki Tsunoda’s seat remained intact, it was the other seat that swapped hands three times in 22 races. Nyck de Vries who impressed at his debut in Monza last year, drove for the team. However, he failed to live up to the expectations set on him, resulting in a mid-season sacking. 

Marko speaking about de Vries, unleashed a brutal assessment slamming the decision to sign the Dutch driver and deeming it a colossal mistake. Marko, on the Inside Line F1 podcast, pulled no punches, declaring;

 And at the moment, it looks like he [Christian Horner] was right… He was not a fan of Nyck de Vries.

Marko, renowned for his courageous remarks, adamantly dismissed any rookie status for the Dutch driver, emphasizing his age and experience. He said;

He is 28 years old, has ample experience...he cannot be compared to a young rookie.

Marko views de Vries’ lackluster F1 stint as a regrettable choice that Red Bull is resolute in addressing, hinting that F1 might not be de Vries’ forte. Swiftly replacing de Vries with Ricciardo, Marko justified;

Why would we wait?...Nyck is a really nice guy, but the speed just wasn’t there.

3. Helmut Marko repeatedly belittles Sergio Perez’s championship aspirations

Early in the season, when Perez’s form dipped after being a title challenger, Marko couldn’t help but launch a barrage of comments undermining Perez’s championship dreams, repeatedly insisting that such aspirations were just a “dream.” When comparing Perez’s form with de Vries’ at AlphaTauri, Marko denied any connection, citing Perez’s belief in “the World Championship dream.” Marko urged Perez to shift focus from championship dreams, emphasizing the need for consistent, improved performances.

Following Perez’s turn of tide at the Belgian GP after struggles in qualifying, Marko asserted that the Mexican driver had effectively “woken up from his world championship dream.” Marko highlighted Perez’s five consecutive failures to progress into Q3, positioning it as a reality check for the driver.

Despite Perez briefly closing the gap to Verstappen in the championship standings after winning in Azerbaijan, Marko dismissed any notion of Perez challenging Verstappen for the title. He underscored Verstappen’s intelligence and speed, declaring it “not possible” for Perez to ever surpass him in the championship. 

2. Helmut Marko falsely attributes the spread of Red Bull rumors to Fernando Alonso

Back in November, amidst a quieter F1 season, there was a sudden wave of rumors that hit the fans suggesting Red Bull are considering Fernando Alonso to replace Perez for the 2024 season. While this dulled down a little later, Marko made one of his classic outrageous comments about the drama which triggered significant criticism 

Speaking to F1 Insider, he asserted that Alonso had orchestrated rumors about his potential move to Red Bull. Marko even went a step ahead to claim that Alonso is notorious for using his home media for personal gain.

Because his results with Aston Martin have been very disappointing recently. It wouldn't be the first time that he used his home media to create a mood.”

This statement prompted a strong response from Alonso, who expressed his discontent with the unfounded accusations. Alonso stated firmly;

Nothing to say, they’re just rumors… Normal paddock rumours. They're just people who want to gain followers

1. Helmut Marko makes racist remarks about Sergio Perez

This season, it one way seemed like the Austrian had some sort of an agenda against his Mexican driver. After repeatedly belittling him in the first half of the season, Marko has sparked outrage in the Formula One community with his xenophobic comments on Perez’s performance. 

Following the Italian Grand Prix, where Perez finally stood on the podium after repeated disappointments with a second-place finish, Marko suggested that Perez’s struggles were linked to his “cultural heritage,” incorrectly identifying him as “South American.” Perez is from Mexico, which is in the southern part of North America. Attributing someone’s racing woes to his culture is an absurd and vile comment. 

Marko’s remarks, made on Red Bull’s own Servus TV channel, stated;

We know that he [Perez] has problems in qualifying. He has fluctuations in his form, he’s South American and so he’s not as focused in his head as Max [Verstappen] or Sebastian [Vettel].

The controversy prompted the FIA to step in, issuing Marko a written warning for violating the FIA Code of Ethics. In response to the backlash, Marko publicly apologized to Perez expressing remorse for his comments and emphasizing a continuous learning process. Despite the apology, the incident underscores the challenges Formula One faces in fostering diversity and inclusivity.

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