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F1 team bosses react to Marko statements

Wolff denounces Marko statements: 'That way of thinking has no place in F1'

15 September 2023 at 13:06
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  • Kada Sarkozi
  • Editor

Helmut Marko has got himself into a bit of trouble with his recent comments about Sergio Perez, for which he has since apologised. After Lewis Hamilton has previously been critical about the Red Bull Racing adviser's statements, now Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has also reacted to the situation along with Zak Brown, Guenther Steiner and Alessandro Alunni Bravi.

On Friday of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, several Formula 1 team bosses are asked for their opinions on Marko's statements. "I think you have to be very careful what you say to anybody. It was not a great comment," began McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

"I can understand why people were offended by it. I didn't hear it myself, I've only read it. You have to be very respectful of everyone and not make comments that can be viewed inappropriately," added the 51-year-old CEO.

Guenther Steiner echoes his colleague's words. "Stereotyping in these days doesn't work anymore," said the Haas team boss. "We need to be careful what we say. Sometimes it's very difficult to do because what you say you don't mean it and then you shouldn't say it, obviously, if you're aware of it."

Wolff: 'That mindset doesn't belong in F1'

"It's not only what has been said, but it's also the mindset that you can even come up with these things. It hasn't got any place in Formula One. That's not something that should have been said in the past and certainly not now or in the future," Wolff said about Marko's statements.

The Mercedes boss continued: "We all know that we need more diversity in Formula One and more inclusion. The teams do their best to create an environment where this is possible. Statements like this don't shine the light on Formula One that Formula One deserves for all of its activities."

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Alfa Romeo team representative, underlines his colleagues' words. "I fully agree and for me, it's very important that as Formula One, as a community, we need to be respectful. Together, we started a path going towards diversity and inclusion and this must be factual. We don't need to just have a strategy in place. We need to have behaviours that show people how we value this in Formula One and we need to be careful how to comment on things," said the 48-year-old Italian. "We just need to show really inclusion and show that Formula One is an open community where everybody can find their place," he added.