A few days ago statements by Helmut Marko have caused discussion again. The Red Bull super consultant, in commenting on Perez's race in Monza, let slip a nonsensical and racist comment about South American drivers. Marko justified the difficulties of Perez in qualifying arguing that, being South American, he would not have the same level of concentration as drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. The comment was not liked by public opinion, which considered it racist and superficial. Many have asked for an exemplary measure from Red Bull, which however is not formally required to intervene as it is not an effective member of the Formula 1 team. Despite its presence in Singapore, Marko – also formally reprimanded by the FIA with a written warning, he will limit himself to talking only about sport.
Marko, no comment on the Perez issue
Marko's statements raised a real media fuss. So much so that the official account of the Mexico City Grand Prix also intervened in defense of Perez and all the South American people. In a Formula 1 that is increasingly moving towards inclusion, Helmut Marko and his comments are jarring and boring. The 80-year-old therefore decided to self-censor and intervene before others do so, banning him from the Circus. “If there are questions, I won't answer them. I will only talk about sporting issues." Marko said before the Singapore weekend, a sign that he will never return to the subject of such a stir.
Right here, a year ago Perez achieved a victory. Max Verstappen will try to chase her but according to Marko there is an opponent to fear.
Are Ferraris to be feared?
Speaking about sport and not politics Marko expressed his doubts about a certain victory at Singapore. Verstappen himself said it, declaring that: “Of the weekends remaining in this second part of the championship, the one in Singapore is the most challenging". The traced it has changed, it no longer has the stretch of the two chicanes in the last sector. This could help Ferrari who showed great pace in FP1 and FP2 in Singapore, both in the qualifying simulation and in the race pace simulation.
After taking his tenth consecutive victory in Monza, Max is determined to win his first race in Singapore too. “Anything can happen in Singapore, Max has never won there – Marko says to the Germans f1-insider.com – four corners have been eliminated which will make everything faster and more unpredictable for us. The team that worries me the most is Ferrari, they were very strong in Monza. If we also pass the Singapore exam positively, I will sleep soundly."
Source statements: FormulaPassion
