Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton says Helmut Marko’s comments “highlight, first of all, the work that still needs to be done”; Sergio Perez says Red Bull’s motorsport advisor has apologized to him personally
Last updated: 09/14/23 at 2:32 pm
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Red Bull’s Lewis Hamilton strongly criticized Helmut Marko after comments he made about the race of his driver Sergio Perez, while the Mexican played down controversial comments from Marko.
Red Bull’s Lewis Hamilton strongly criticized Helmut Marko after comments he made about the race of his driver Sergio Perez, while the Mexican played down controversial comments from Marko.
Lewis Hamilton has expressed his disappointment at Helmut Marko’s “completely unacceptable” comments about Sergio Perez, and said the comments underscore the importance of continued work to improve inclusivity in the sport.
Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport consultant, issued an apology last Friday following comments in which he blamed Sergio Perez’s inconsistent performances this season on his ethnicity.
Hamilton said when asked about Marko’s comments before the Singapore Grand Prix on Thursday Sky Sports F1“What he said is completely unacceptable.
He added: “While we say there is no room for any kind of discrimination in this sport, there should be – there is no room for it – to have leaders and people in his position making comments like that, it’s not good for us moving forward.”
“I think this highlights firstly the work that still needs to be done. There are a lot of people in the background who are really trying to combat this kind of thing but it is difficult to maneuver if there are people at the top.” We have this kind of mentality, which prevents us from Progress. “To be honest, I’m not surprised.”
Sergio Perez and Helmut Marko in discussion at the British Grand Prix in July
Marko, who is understood to work for the wider Red Bull brand rather than the F1 race team itself, issued his apology via Red Bull-owned Austrian channel ServusTV Sport.
Marko said: “I would like to apologize for my offensive remark and I want to make it very clear that I do not think we can generalize about people from any country, any race, or any ethnicity.
“I was trying to explain that Chico has fluctuated in his performance this year, but it would have been wrong to attribute that to his cultural heritage.”
When asked about the wider response to the matter, Hamilton replied: “I don’t know what was said after that. That’s something we should ask of Chico, but I think that’s not something that you’re just apologizing for.” [for] And everything is fine. I think more needs to be done.
“When teams have individuals, especially drivers, they make comments but [also] Some people in the background – they usually get removed or at least put a quote and say they don’t support this kind of thing. So it’s interesting that they didn’t do it for this, but that’s not my team and that’s not how we move as a team.
“It shows how important it is that we continue to do the work. The work that I’m trying to do with my team and with the sport. We still have a lot of work to do moving forward to make sure this is what needs to be done.” A more inclusive environment.”
Red Bull Racing told Sky Sports News they do not condone Marko’s comments and that as a team they maintain there is no place for racism or xenophobia in racing or society as a whole.
Perez says Marco apologized to him
Speaking about the matter for the first time on Thursday, Perez said he had received a direct apology from Marco. He said there was “no problem” moving forward with the Austrian.
He said: “I got an apology from him, a direct apology, which is the most important thing to me.”
“I know him, and I know he doesn’t mean it that way either. That’s what matters to me. When you have a personal relationship with someone, that’s a feeling you should have and to me that’s the most important one.”
“the most important [thing] It is that we are focused on this weekend and performing on track. “Obviously, a personal apology was more important to me than anything else.”
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Max Verstappen has admitted that Red Bull team boss Helmut Marko made a mistake over his controversial comments about Sergio Perez’s ethnicity and that he has apologized for the language he used.
More to follow…
Live Singapore Grand Prix schedule on Sky Sports F1
Friday 15 September
10am: Singapore GP Practice One (session starts at 10:30am)
1.45pm: Singapore General Training 2 (session starts at 2pm)
3.30pm: Formula 1 show
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 from September 15-17. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW. Cancel at any time
