F1, Helmut Marko no-nonsense on the future of Sergio Perez

F1, Helmut Marko sheds light on Sergio Perez’s future

During an interview with the microphones of the “Sport.de” newspaper, Red Bull manager Helmut Marko spoke bluntly about Sergio Perez’s future and Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the track.

“Sergio has a contract also valid for 2024 signed last year and has already survived for two and a half years as Max Verstappen’s teammate, which in itself is a record. It’s not easy. In Qualifying lately he has not been doing very well, but he compensates with very good performances in the race,” the Austrian manager began.

“It’s something completely different from what he had imagined. Alpha Tauri is last in the standings. Knowing that Yuki Tsunoda is not a slow driver, Ricciardo is taking a big risk, but he is willing to do it,” added the former driver.

Next, Helmut Marko commented on Alexander Albon’s performance and his farewell to Red Bull: “Unfortunately, he is under contract with Williams until 2025. He paid for the two incidents with Hamilton in Brazil in 2019 and in Austria in 2020, especially the latter because he was in the race for victory. There are few who can stand by Verstappen psychologically and mentally. At that moment giving him up in Red Bull was necessary and we had no alternative for him.”