Tag: helmut marko

‘My relationship with Helmut is no issue’ – Horner

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner insists his relationship with Helmut Marko is not an issue, amid speculation about their respective futures. Horner was investigated after an allegation of inappropriate behavior was made against him, with …

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner insists his relationship with Helmut Marko is not an issue, amid speculation about their respective futures.

Horner was investigated after an allegation of inappropriate behavior was made against him, with the grievance being dismissed at the Bahrain Grand Prix. One week later in Saudi Arabia, Marko revealed he was also part of an investigation relating to leaks to the media, and that he could be suspended or opt to leave Red Bull if he wasn’t happy with certain conditions.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]

After a meeting with Red Bull executive Oliver Mintzlaff in Jeddah, Marko stated he would be continuing and that a way forward had been agreed, and Horner says that does not have an impact on the pair of them working together moving forward.

“The rumors about suspension was as news to the team as it was to anybody else,” Horner said. “So we were quite surprised to hear that. Helmut is a contractor to Red Bull GmbH so it was an issue between there and we weren’t party or part of that discussion.

“I’ve known Helmut since 1996 and he’s played an important role over the years. That role has evolved over the years, but I’ve known him for a very, very long time and coming up to 81 years of age he’s still obviously motivated about Formula 1 which is a positive thing.

“My relationship with Helmut is no issue. He’s always outspoken but that’s Helmut.”

Horner says the second consecutive one-two finish for Red Bull in Jeddah shows the team has retained its strength as a unit despite the controversies that have made headlines over the past six weeks.

“We’re focused on winning, and that’s what we do. That’s what we’ve done (in Saudi). That’s how we’ve started this season. Obviously, I’m aware of all the noise, but it hasn’t distracted the team from the job and we are one team.

“Now obviously speculation about Helmut is speculation about Helmut. Helmut doesn’t work for me. He doesn’t work for Red Bull Racing, he works for Red Bull GmbH. But I think you can see that there’s a very clear route that he’s looking forward and wanting to continue this incredible winning streak that we’ve been on.”

No individual bigger than the team at Red Bull – Horner

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says no individual is bigger than the team amid speculation regarding the futures of Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko. The ongoing saga at Red Bull took a number of twists during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix …

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says no individual is bigger than the team amid speculation regarding the futures of Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko.

The ongoing saga at Red Bull took a number of twists during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, with Marko suggesting he could be suspended as part of an investigation into leaks to the media relating to allegations against Horner. After a meeting with Red Bull executive Oliver Mintzlaff on Saturda, Marko stated he would continue in his role, but not before Verstappen had launched a robust defense of the advisor and said his future was heavily linked to Marko’s.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]

“Firstly, Helmut is a consultant to Red Bull GmbH, so whatever the discussion was it was between them and not the team,” Horner told Sky Sports after Verstappen’s win in Jeddah. “Max is an important member of our team, a valued member of our team and a wonderful driver, but everybody has a role to play in this team.

“We are a team and no single individual is bigger than the team. That’s the only way you achieve these results.

“[Saturday] was Max’s 100th podium finish, all of which have been in Red Bull Racing cars, and it was his 56th race victory. We move ahead of Williams on 114 victories in what is only our 20th year and this is an incredibly strong team that has strength and depth that is achieving these results.”

Horner denied there was a battle for control of Red Bull, following Marko’s comments and Verstappen’s public show of backing, with Jos Verstappen having reiterated his belief that it is problematic if the team principal remains in his role.

“No, look, no. A lot is made of this stuff, but we are one team and nobody is bigger than the team. This team comprises across the different entities of over 1,400 people and everybody has a role to play, and that’s from the very bottom to the very top. Without them performing you don’t achieve performances like this and unfortunately there has been a lot of speculation this weekend, but once again our focus is very much on track.

“Obviously there’s rumblings and I’m aware of what’s been said, but Max is an important part of this team. He’s our driver and he’s doing a great job. As team principal and CEO, I’m responsible for the running and the operation of this team, so everybody has to do their part. Max is doing his part and everybody else is doing their part.”

RBR’s off-track drama not affecting performance – Verstappen

Max Verstappen says the off-track controversies surrounding Red Bull are not distracting from performances, after taking another comfortable victory in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Red Bull repeated its one-two finish from the first race in Bahrain …

Max Verstappen says the off-track controversies surrounding Red Bull are not distracting from performances, after taking another comfortable victory in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Red Bull repeated its one-two finish from the first race in Bahrain with a similar display in Jeddah, although Charles Leclerc took the point for the fastest lap as he finished third. The result comes amid a backdrop of infighting at Red Bull — with Helmut Marko stating his own future was uncertain on Friday and Verstappen backing the Austrian — but the championship leader is impressed with how resilient the team has proven to be.

“I always said that what is most important is that we work together as a team and that everyone keeps the peace,” Verstappen said. “And that’s what we, I think, all agree on within the team. So hopefully from now on that is also fully the case. Everyone is trying to focus in the same direction.

“And I think the positive out of all this is that it didn’t hurt our performances. So it’s a very strong team. I think also mentally, what you can see from not only [the] driver’s side, but also mechanics, engineers, everyone is there to do their job. I think everyone, even when there is stuff going on or whatever, they’re just very focused on their job as they should be.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]

Verstappen’s victory is his 19th in the past 20 races and sees him reach three figures in terms of podiums, but he jokes that the landmark in his 188th race means he’s missed out on too many.

“It’s 88 missed podiums!” he quipped. “No, of course, very happy with that. But I’m not really a guy looking at the stats, so I’m just happy to hit 100, but I want to continue and just focus race-by-race on achieving the best possible result all the time.

“I think it was a very good race. Of course, after that first stint with the safety car, we had to box. I knew that it was going to be a very long stint to the end, but it was the same for most of us. I think we just managed the pace very well to the end.

“The whole weekend, the car has been performing really well, probably a little bit better than expected, even. And yeah, overall, very pleased to win here.”

Marko now subject of Red Bull GmbH investigation

Helmut Marko is the latest figure in the spotlight at Red Bull Racing after saying he is subject to an investigation from Red Bull GmbH following the controversy surrounding Christian Horner. The Red Bull team principal was investigated as a result …

Helmut Marko is the latest figure in the spotlight at Red Bull Racing after saying he is subject to an investigation from Red Bull GmbH following the controversy surrounding Christian Horner.

The Red Bull team principal was investigated as a result of an allegation of inappropriate behavior, but the grievance from a female colleague was dismissed just over a week ago. The complainant has now been suspended by Red Bull, and Marko (pictured at left, above, with team manager Jonathan Wheatley) suggests he too could be suspended after revealing he is being investigated himself for what RACER understands to be matters relating to leaks of information.

“It’s difficult to judge,” Marko told ORF on whether he’ll be present at the next race in Australia in his role. “But at the end of the day, I’ll decide for myself what to do … There is always the theoretical possibility (of being suspended).”

Marko later told Sky Germany that he is set to have a meeting with the CEO of Red Bull’s corporate projects, Oliver Mintzlaff, on Saturday, but threw further doubt on his future by adding: “Everything has to be right so that I want to continue working there.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]

Marko is employed by Red Bull GmbH rather than Red Bull Racing, and the team declined to comment, stating it was a matter for the parent company.

The focus on Marko is heightened due to recent reports — at this stage unverified by RACER — that Max Verstappen has a clause in his contract that could allow him to leave Red Bull should Marko depart. On the topic of Verstappen, the 80-year-old was clear that the team needs to do all it can to ensure he remains amid speculation he could join Mercedes in future.

“Max is definitely the strongest asset — there are no faster drivers at the moment. Losing him, that would be a huge loss,” Marko said. “Also for the mechanics and engineers, who all strive to work for Max.”

Marko warned by FIA over Perez comments

The FIA has warned Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko over comments he made regarding the team’s Mexican driver Sergio Perez. Speaking about Perez’s “fluctuations in form” at Monza, Marko had added: “he is South American and he is just not as completely …

The FIA has warned Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko over comments he made regarding the team’s Mexican driver Sergio Perez.

Speaking about Perez’s “fluctuations in form” at Monza, Marko had added: “he is South American and he is just not as completely focused in his head as Max (Verstappen) is or as Sebastian (Vettel)”.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]

It’s not the first time Marko has referred to the Mexican as South American, but he also further compounded the issue with later similar comments, leading to a statement of apology towards Perez that the driver said he had accepted earlier this week.

Now, the FIA has confirmed that an official written warning was sent to Marko, reminding him of his responsibilities as a public figure in motorsport, citing the governing body’s Code of Ethics.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner had previously told Sky Sports why the team itself had been reluctant to make a statement on Marko’s comments.

“I know he regrets what he said,” Horner said. “He has apologized. Even at 80 years of age, it is not too late to learn.

“Helmut is not an employee of Red Bull Racing. That’s why didn’t we put out a statement. He is part of the wider Red Bull Group and they put that apology out through their Servus TV channel.”

Alongside Horner, Marko is listed as a director of Red Bull Racing on the United Kingdom’s Companies House website.

Perez accepts Marko apology for comments based on nationality

Sergio Perez says he accepted Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko’s apology to him for comments he made that related to his Latin American heritage. Marko (pictured above with Perez) was speaking on Servus TV after the Italian Grand Prix and said of …

Sergio Perez says he accepted Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko’s apology to him for comments he made that related to his Latin American heritage.

Marko (pictured above with Perez) was speaking on Servus TV after the Italian Grand Prix and said of Perez: “We know that he has problems in qualifying, he has fluctuations in form — he is South American and he is just not as completely focused in his head as Max (Verstappen) is or as Sebastian (Vettel).”

The comments were then further compounded, with Reuters quoting Marko as telling Austria’s OE24 website: “It wasn’t meant that way. I meant that a Mexican has a different mentality than a German or a Dutchman. But who knows, maybe it’s controlled.”

Marko issued a statement apologizing over the weekend and Perez says he has spoken to the 80-year-old, and that there are no lingering issues between the two.

“I had a private conversation with him,” Perez said. “He did apologize and that to me was the main thing. Yeah, basically we move on. I have a personal relationship with him, and I think you can always have those feelings, when you see that sort of stuff. Knowing the person helps a lot because I know he doesn’t mean it that way. I took his apology, because I know Helmut from the personal relationship that we have, that he doesn’t mean it that way.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]

When it was put to Perez that there have been previous concerns about anti-Latin driver treatment raised by himself and Fernando Alonso, the Mexican insisted he didn’t feel that was the case with Marko’s latest statements.

“If I were to look at those comments, I would feel like that, but knowing Helmut, because I have a personal relationship with him, it didn’t sound to me (like that). To be honest, we have a personal relationship, so whatever I say to the media or he says to the media is different to the conversations we have. Anyway, we have a good relationship and I know that it’s not related to that side.

“Helmut did apologize. I think we all make mistakes, and to me what was most important is that I take his apology, his personal apology. What happens afterwards and on the media side, or in the public eye, that’s not in my control. To me the most important thing is the personal relationship.”

Perez wasn’t the only Red Bull driver asked about inflammatory comments, as Verstappen’s record run of victories was dismissed as “for Wikipedia and nobody reads that anyway” by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

“I’m not disappointed in that, but they had a pretty s**t race, so probably he was still pissed off with their performance,” Verstappen said. “He almost sounds like he’s an employee of our team sometimes, you know? But luckily not.

“I think it’s important that you focus on your own team. We do and that’s what we did in the past as well when we were behind them and they were dominating. I think you should be able to appreciate when a team is doing really well, which I think we have done in the past because it worked also as inspiration to see someone that dominant — it was very impressive at the time.

“We knew that we had to work harder and try to be better, and now that we are there we are very happy and we are enjoying the moment. Honestly, that’s all I can say about it.”

Red Bull apuesta todo a Checo Pérez por esta razón

Checo se encuentra un punto por encima de Charles Leclerc en la clasificación mundial de pilotos

A falta de cuatro fechas para concluir la temporada 2022 de la Fórmula 1, la escudería Red Bull brindará todo el apoyo para que Sergio Pérez termine en segundo lugar en el campeonato mundial de pilotos.

Esto lo aseguró el asesor de la escudería Helmut Marko, quien confía en que Checo Pérez pueda quedarse con el segundo puesto lo que aseguraría el campeonato de constructores y pilotos para Red Bull.

“Ahora hemos ganado seis títulos de pilotos, pero nunca nos hemos llevado a casa un doblete en la clasificación de pilotos. Estoy seguro de que Max puede llegar a 13 victorias o tal vez incluso 14, pero para nosotros es más importante tener el segundo puesto de Checo Pérez en el Mundial”, aseguró Marko.

Red Bull ha conquistado seis campeonatos de pilotos pero nunca ha hecho el doblete con pilotos y constructores por lo que es fundamental el cierre de Checo Pérez para que la escudería consiga sus objetivos.

Checo se encuentra un punto por encima de Charles Leclerc en la clasificación mundial de pilotos, por lo que sumar más que el de Ferrari en Austin y la Ciudad de México podría asegurarle el segundo puesto para el cierre en Brasil y Abu Dabi.

 

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

¿Por qué Checo Pérez festejó con sombrero mexicano el podio en Spa?

Sergio Pérez se subió al podio en el GP de Bélgica pero el festejo fue muy especial con un sombrero mexicano que llevaba dedicatoria.

El piloto mexicano de Red Bull, Sergio Pérez se subió al podio en el GP de Bélgica en segundo puesto por detrás de su compañero Max Verstappen, pero el festejo fue muy especial con un sombrero mexicano que llevaba dedicatoria.

Y es que para Checo Pérez el enemigo parece estar en casa y si no es su equipo en pits o las órdenes del jefe de la escudería, está la opinión de Helmut Marko, asesor de la escudería que suele hacer comentarios muy ácidos en torno al mexicano.

Esta vez fue en la previa al GP de Bélgica, Marko llamó “sudamericano” a Checo Pérez en un entorno que sonó muy racista como si su capacidad como piloto dependiera de su raza.

Como sudamericano tiene el problema con los altibajos. También buscó su propio camino con la configuración del auto y no funcionó. Cuando tienes un auto con un piloto muy rápido, debes adaptarte”, comentó Marko a Sky Sports.

Foto ESPECIAL

Los comentarios del asesor de Red Bull, calaron hondo en la afición mexicana y sudamericana que tildaron de racista a Marko y ya incluso hay una petición de change.org para que haya un castigo más severo.

Es por ello que Checo Pérez se robó la atención de las cámaras con el festejo del doble podio de Red Bull en Spa-Francorchamps con un sombrero típico mexicano con dos chiles dibujados y la frase ¡Viva México!

¿Llevaba dedicatoria especial a Helmut Marko?

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

¿Tequila o falla de comunicación? Por esto Checo Pérez perdió podio

El propio Pérez explicó que no supo lo qué pasó en el relanzamiento de la carrera pero el descuido le costó el podio

La manera en que Checo Pérez perdió el tercer sitio ayer en el GP de Francia desconcertó a muchos, especialmente al piloto mexicano que no entiende aún qué pasó.

Cuando faltaban cuatro giros para el fin de la carrera, un virtual safety car entró por un accidente en la pista, lo que permitió que George Russell se acercara a Pérez y al momento de relanzar, Checo no reaccionó tan rápido como el británico de Mercedes y le arrebató la posición.

El propio Pérez explicó que no supo lo qué pasó pues él tenía la indicación que la carrera se relanzaba fuera de la curva nueve y se reinició en la 15 y para cuando eso sucedió Checo estaba muy cerca de la curva para acelerar lo que ocasionó el descuido y el rebasé de Russell.

“No entiendo que pasó, creo que tuvieron un problema en la torre de control porque simplemente no entiendo y bueno, nos costó el podio, pero al final una carrera donde no tuvimos mucho ritmo”, dijo Checo Pérez tras GP de Francia.

Pero Helmut Marko, asesor de Red Bull piensa otra cosa pues no entiende por qué el mexicano se descuidó así dejando ir el 1-3 para la escudería y sobre todo subirse al podio tras dos abandonos consecutivos.

“Checo se quedó dormido en el reinicio, fue evidente. No lo sé, tal vez estuvo bebiendo tequila anoche“, dijo Marko al portal sueddeutsche.de.

No tenemos pruebas pero tampoco dudas de las palabras de Helmut Marko pues hace unas semanas a Checo se le vio bastante pasado de copas en Mónaco, un estado que no se le conocía al mexicano.
[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Asesor principal de Red Bull celebró que Checo Pérez se quejara

Parece ser que a pesar de la decisión, Checo Pérez mostró carácter ante su escudería y es algo que es digno de celebrar para Marko.

Cuando le avisaron por radio a Checo Pérez que dejara su primer lugar a su compañero Max Verstappen el pasado domingo en el Gran Premio de España, el mexicano solo se limitó a aceptar la decisión y mencionar que “necesitaban hablar después” haciendo evidente su molestia.

Pues para el asesor principal de Red Bull Racing, Helmut Marko, la respuesta del mexicano a su escudería le pareció muy buena pues aunque aceptó que la decisión de cederle el primer lugar a Verstappen era meramente por estrategia del equipo, el reclamo de Checo le pareció acertado pues demuestra que es un verdadero piloto.

“Si no se hubiera quejado, no sería un verdadero piloto. Es perfectamente entendible que no responda a la orden diciendo: ‘Sí, que me rebasen sin problemas’ y que hasta le salude desde el coche dando el paso. Es normal” mencionó Marko.

Para Marko la decisión fue adecuada pues al principio de la temporada con los dos abandonos de Max Verstappen todos cuestionaban si el campeón podría regresar a la competencia y ya está ahí, en el primer puesto del campeonato de pilotos y falta la segunda parte de la temporada.

Parece ser que a pesar de la decisión, Checo Pérez mostró carácter ante su escudería y es algo que es digno de celebrar para Marko.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]