Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has apologised for a comment made on Monday about Sergio Perez and his nationality following heavy backlash online and facing accusations of xenophobia and racism.
Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
Speaking on ServusTV in Austria following a brilliant drive from the Mexican to finish a strong P2 to Max Verstappen at the Italian Grand Prix last Sunday, Marko suggested Checo’s performance swings are down to where is he from.
“It was certainly one of his better weekends. We know he has problems in qualifying, he has form fluctuations, he is South American [Mexico is in fact in North America].”
“And he’s not as completely focused in his head as Max or Sebastian were, for example.
“But his races are good for the most part and yesterday was a very, very good race. He did absolutely everything right there.”
This afternoon, a statement was released through the ServusTV website as Helmut Marko apologised for his words and added he does not believe any country, race or ethnicity should be the target of generalisation.
“Concerning my remark about Sergio Perez, ServusTV Sport and Talk, Monday September 4: I would like to apologise for my offensive remark and want to make it absolutely clear that I do not believe that we can generalise about the people from any country, any race, any ethnicity.
“I was trying to make a point that Checo has fluctuated in his performance this year, but it was wrong to attribute this to his cultural heritage.”
The controversy comes with Perez sitting a solid P2 in the Drivers’ Championship, 49 points clear of Fernando Alonso. Despite some qualifying struggles from Spain onwards, the 33-year-old has stood on the podium eight times this season, including his wins in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.
