Helmut Marko warns that the FIA’s heavy-handed decisions risk alienating Max Verstappen, urging a more balanced approach.
Helmut Marko believes F1 leaders should be cautious with their decisions, warning that they could push Max Verstappen to leave the premier class if they continue to be unhelpful.
“Max must be taken seriously; he has accomplished a lot, but it’s crucial that he enjoys himself and appreciates the sport as a whole,” Marko told Formel 1. “If it becomes increasingly difficult for him, he will lose interest in F1, and when he says it’s over, he will mean it. However, I hope the current situation does not prompt him to retire anytime soon.”
“There is a double standard, and moreover, he wasn’t talking about a person. He was discussing the car, an object, in a casual manner. Okay, it was in a post-afternoon press conference, but if everything is treated this strictly, it will be handled differently in the future.”
“But it is clearly excessive. I read this judgment very carefully and had to smile a bit because part of the reasoning stated: ‘Max argued at the hearing that it was simply the language he had picked up as a young driver.'”
In sporting terms, Verstappen is coveted by Mercedes, and if he were to leave, George Russell and a swap would be an interesting position: “But we just want to take the time to explore the options available to us for the future, and we are not afraid to step outside our pool of drivers.”
“George Russell’s contract ends next year. It would be foolish not to consider that. There are other drivers – talented drivers – who might well be at the end of their contracts as well.”
Marko highlights Russell’s impressive level at Mercedes, though this prospect seems distant: “George Russell is on par with Hamilton in qualifying, if not faster. But George Russell is tied to Mercedes-Benz, and right now, I think we are focusing on our young drivers.”
Marko acknowledges that young drivers sometimes shine early in Formula 1, notably praising the impressive Franco Colapinto: “We see it with Colapinto, for example, who was relatively inexperienced and hadn’t had much success in lower formulas.”
“What an incredible performance he is delivering now! And now, let’s see what our juniors, or even a Yuki Tsunoda, can do. He might also be considered a junior, but how does he compare to Lawson?”
“I think Colapinto has a long-term contract with Williams and he is definitely one for the future. What he showed in Baku and Singapore was very, very good, but I cite him as an example.”
“One can also mention the case of [Oliver] Bearman, showing that Formula 2 juniors have the potential to perform in Formula 1, and that we cannot always rely, as in the past, on drivers who already have five or three years of experience.”
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Marko Warns: FIA’s Excess May Cost F1 Verstappen Marko Warns: FIA’s Excess May Cost F1 Verstappen
