Christian Horner says Helmut Marko ‘regrets what he said’ and ‘learned lessons’ after Sergio Perez comments

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has spoken out for the first time about Helmut Marko’s offensive comments towards Sergio Perez; Horner explains why the Formula 1 team has not issued a statement on the matter

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said “lessons learned” by Helmut Marko in the wake of the Austrian’s comments about Sergio Perez.

He talks about this topic for the first time Sky Sports F1 At the Singapore Grand Prix, Horner said that Marko “regrets what he said” and that his “comments were not correct”.

Marko, a Red Bull motorsport consultant, last Friday issued an apology via a Red Bull-owned television channel in Austria for comments he made about Perez in which he attributed the driver’s inconsistent performances this season to his ethnicity.

“Those comments were not correct,” said Horner, Red Bull’s team principal and CEO Sky Sports F1.

“Helmut quickly realized this and apologized publicly and directly to Sergio. He spoke to Sergio directly about it.

“You are always learning in life even when you are 80 years old. Lessons have certainly been learned. Chico is a very popular and important member of our team. I pushed hard to sign him for the 2021 season.”

“We have a huge following around the world and we take that very seriously, very responsibly. We are very aware of that, and the fans who follow the team, like Chico, and Formula 1. This is his 250th race and we want to focus on that.” On that.

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Sergio Perez, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen reflect on comments made by Red Bull boss Helmut Marko about Perez’s race.

Why hasn’t Red Bull Racing issued a statement?

While Marko issued his apology via an official Red Bull outlet, there were questions as to why there had been no public communications on the matter from the company’s Formula 1 team, Red Bull Racing, themselves.

“From Helmut’s point of view, he apologized,” Horner replied.

“He is not an employee of Red Bull Racing, so in terms of why we have not issued a statement, he is part of the Red Bull Group and the group issued an apology through Servos TV.”

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Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport consultant, issued an apology after comments in which he blamed Perez’s inconsistent form on his ethnic origin.

Asked whether any further official internal sanctions would be imposed against the 80-year-old Austrian, Horner replied: “Helmut is technically an advisor to the group, so it is not a question for me to answer.”

“Obviously we talked about it, I know he regrets what he said, he apologized and as I say, even at 80 years old, it’s never too late to learn.”

When asked about the role of the FIA, the governing body of Formula 1, and the sport itself in such matters, Horner said: “There is a code of conduct, a code of ethics, a sporting code, which already exists.

“Of course, we have contacted the FIA ​​and FOM [Formula One Management] All last week, as you can imagine, and that [the question of sanctions] “This is very much their business, not the team’s.”

Live Singapore Grand Prix schedule on Sky Sports F1

Saturday 16 September
10.15am: Singapore General Training 3 (session starts at 10.30am)
1pm: Singapore Grand Prix qualifying preparations
2pm: Singapore Grand Prix qualifying
3.45pm: Ted’s qualifying notebook

Sunday 17 September
11.30pm: Sunday Grand Prix: Singapore Grand Prix preparations
1pm: Singapore Grand Prix
3pm: Checkered flag: Singapore Grand Prix reaction
4pm: Ted’s notebook

Next in the Formula 1 circus are the stunning streets of Singapore under the lights. All sessions from the Singapore Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW. Cancel at any time