Helmut Marko, a formal advisor to Red Bull Racing, passed out a racist comment last week and soon apologized to Sergio Perez. However, the matter still did not cool down, and the audience, as well as renowned F1 drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, were still skeptical about the whole situation.
The FIA looked over the matter and issued a serious warning to the advisor, reminding him of his moral ethics and responsibilities as a public figure in motorsports, according to one of the spokespersons at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Why did FIA issue severe warning to Helmut Marko?
As mentioned earlier, Helmut Marco’s racist statement, which apparently shamed Perez for being a “South American,” received an immense amount of criticism from the FIA. His language was considered unethical and unprofessional, despite being an advisor for so many years. As a person who is believed to be a role model for many young drivers, Marko has provided a very bad example by passing a racist comment on Sergio Perez.
“We can confirm that Helmut Marko has received a written warning and been reminded of his responsibilities as a public figure in motorsport in line with the FIA Code of Ethics,” said an FIA spokesperson at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Although Perez confirmed that he received a personal apology from Marko, whose comments continued to provoke a strong reaction in the paddock.
“We laugh about (Mexico being in) South America … but it’s a topic that’s not at all funny,” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told reporters.
“It’s not only what has been said but the mindset that you can even come up with these things, and that hasn’t got any place in Formula One. That’s not something that should have been said in the past and certainly not now.”
Lewis Hamilton slams Helmut Marko’s comment on Sergio Perez
Helmut’s words received criticism from Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who on Thursday said Marko’s words were “not something that you just apologise (for) and its all OK.”
“It’s completely unacceptable,” Hamilton added on Friday. “We say there is no room for any type of discrimination in this sport and there should be no room for it.
“To have leaders, people in his position, making comments like this is not good for us. It highlights the work that still needs to be done.”
Lewis Hamilton has given his thoughts on Helmut Marko's recent comments about Sergio Perez 🗣 pic.twitter.com/Coc21U92kl
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) September 14, 2023
“There are a lot of people in the background that really are combating these kinds of things but it is hard to manoeuvre if those at the top have these mindsets. I am not surprised to be honest.”
Do you think the FIA did the right thing by warning him? Please let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
