Marko apologises for 'offensive' comment on Perez

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Helmut Marko has apologized for publicly suggesting that Sergio Perez's fluctuating form in F1 this season is rooted in the Mexican's ethnicity, after the Austrian was hit with a wave of criticism.

Last Monday on Red Bull-owned Servus TV, a day after the Italian Grand Prix, Marko addressed the difficulties encountered by Perez this year and claimed that the Red Bull driver's "South American" origins were part of the problem.

"We know that he has problems in qualifying," Marko stated. "He has fluctuations in form, he is South American and he is just not as completely focused in his head as Max is or as Sebastian."

Marko might be excused for claiming that Mexicans are South Americans when Mexico is actually part of North America, along with the USA and Canada.

But attributing Perez's performance lapses to his ethnicity, or implying that because Checo is Mexican he is necessarily less the consummate professional than his European counterparts is as silly as calling Verstappen 'cheap' because he happens to be Dutch.

Read also: Perez admits he may need to look at 'alternatives' to Red Bull

On Friday, Marko made a clumsy attempt to clarify his derogatory comment, but only succeeded in adding more fuel to the fire.

"It wasn't meant that way," he told Austrian website oe24.at. "I meant that a Mexican has a different mentality than a German or a Dutchman. But who knows, maybe it’s controlled."

©RedBull

Marko found himself in hot water across the internet last Monday after his initial remarks, but the former F1 driver's awkward "clarification" properly submerged him on social media on Friday.

The magnitude of the backlash was such that late in the day, the Red Bull motorsport boss felt compelled to issue a formal apology.

"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," Marko stated.

"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."

We move on.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.