The Red Bull technical advisor in Formula 1 (F1), Helmut Marko, lashed out – for the second time – against a Red Bull team driver Sergio "Checo" Pérez, referring to his Mexican origin.
In an interview on Servus TV, the former driver compared Pérez's performance with his fellow teammate, Max Verstappen. Marko stated, "Let's remember that he is South American and so his head is not as focused as Max Verstappen or as Sebastian Vettel was." Apart from being prejudiced, Marko's claim is erroneous, as Mexico is in North America, not South America.
❌ Checo Pérez es norteamericano, no sudamericano. Ya es la 2ª vez que comete este error.
❌ Red Bull no debería tolerar que cualquier miembro que empleee un discurso xenófobo continúe en el equipo. A Juri Vips se le despidió de manera fulminante...pic.twitter.com/yKG0gA9fYc
— Fórmula Directa (@FormulaDirecta) September 6, 2023
The coach later tried to backtrack his statements and assured that "racing is [Pérez's] forte."
Second time Marko has referred to 'Checo' Pérez's Latino background
In another interview in August 2022, Marko was the center of criticism for referring Pérez's Latino background. The technician commented that the driver was "very scared" on the track, claiming that this is "how he lives in Mexico City":
As a South American, he generally has a lot of ups and downs. ... Max is not afraid, and Pérez is very scared, although it isn't different from how he lives in Mexico City.
Both in 2022 and now, many spectators and F1 fans have shown their disapproval of Marko's comments and demand he be disciplined.
