Helmut Marko has once again suggested that Sergio Perez’s future lies elsewhere, saying the Mexican needs a new team to develop.
Despite having one year left on his contract with Red Bull, it seems like Marko has been doing everything he can to weaken Perez recently. Red Bull’s senior adviser regularly criticized the team’s driver, made xenophobic comments for which he later apologized and again suggested his future lay elsewhere.
Noting the similarities between Perez and Pierre Gasly’s situations at Red Bull, Marko believes that “a change in climate and team” is what Perez needs.
Helmut Marko hinted at Sergio Perez’s departure
Having to publicly apologize for describing Perez’s form as “South American”, you’d think Marko would be on his best behavior, but the 80-year-old couldn’t resist the opportunity to criticize the Red Bull driver. During a Q&A with Austrian media outlet oe24, Marko initially said he would not speak ill of Perez before the Mexican Grand Prix before rescinding that commitment and asking Perez to find a new team.
“[Our relationship] is very good. He supported me a lot, as did Max [Verstappen], who gave his opinion to a number of people.
“Don’t forget:
I brought Perez into the team at that time. But that is simply the fate Verstappen is suffering. This was the case with Gasly. From this perspective, Perez needs to change the environment and team. Now we will see how the next two races go. But he and the team knew he was in crisis.
Although Verstappen’s exploits helped Red Bull win both titles, they are still keeping an eye on the drivers’ standings with Perez only 30 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton, P3. When asked if this was a concern, Marko said the fear was “very specific.”
“This fear is actually very specific. Without the crash [in Qatar], Hamilton could still have won by 10 or 15 points, Marko said.
“Checo just needs to do his best without looking at Verstappen. We try to help him do that. You see, there is no criticism from the team, only help. Maybe it will work. “[Perez being celebrated as a national hero in Austin and Mexico] doesn’t make it any easier for him. Plus, there’s currently a sprint race in the States – exactly what he doesn’t need at the moment.
“This makes it even more difficult for him because he always needs time to get up to speed. I hope Austin is half right and then everything in Mexico will be okay.
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