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Toto Wolff (L), Helmut Marko (R) | Image Courtesy: Imago
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Toto Wolff (L), Helmut Marko (R) | Image Courtesy: Imago
Mick Schumacher had no seat in F1 after his ousting from Haas at the end of 2022. AlphaTauri showed interest in signing the young German. But it did not work out and eventually, Toto Wolff signed him as a Reserve driver for Mercedes. To the outside world, Wolff came as a savior for Schumacher. But, Red Bull Team Advisor Helmut Marko has recently revealed that Wolff’s move involved dirty politics against Red Bull.
Marko is known to be inflexible and harsh when it comes to drivers’ inefficient performances on the track. But it doesn’t stop there. He vocally bashes his competition too, when needed. This time, he has targeted Mercedes boss Toto Wolff for pushing his agenda to the FIA. In an interview with Sport1.de, Marko spoke about Wolff’s actions against Red Bull and AlphaTauri.
⚠️ | Helmut Marko says Mick Schumacher was briefly considered as an option for AlphaTauri earlier this year.
However, Marko claims talks ended due to Toto Wolff's "politics" with the FIA:https://t.co/20XiN4Etub
— formularacers (@formularacers_) June 15, 2023
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Helmut Marko said, as quoted by Sport1.de, “It was mentioned at a meeting. It’s just stupid that at the same time Mr. Wolff openly made politics against us again at the FIA. That was the issue off the table.” He further added, saying, “Why should we catch Schumacher? He is a Mercedes driver, Mr. Wolff is responsible for him. If he thinks so highly of him, why doesn’t he let him drive in his own team or use his influence to ensure that he gets into a customer team like Williams?”
Read More: After Red Bull’s $2,200,000 Scandal, F1 Boss Defends the Measure Aimed At Leveling the Playing Field
Marko might be condemning Wolff for politics, but his statements on Schumacher’s loss are not consistent.
Helmut Marko Contradicts Own Statements
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One would expect that a person holding the post of advisor to a top F1 team would be aware of his past statements. A couple of weeks ago, Marko had mentioned that AlphaTauri did not sign Schumacher as he had been a part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. But Helmut Marko’s recent statements criticizing Wolff contradict his statements about Schumacher being a Ferrari talent.
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MARKO Helmut aut, Drivers Manager of Red Bull Racing, portrait during the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2023, 1st round of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship, WM, Weltmeisterschaft from March 2 to 5, 2023 on the Bahrain International Circuit, in Sakhir, Bahrain – F1 – BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2023 DPPI/Panoramic PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxITAxBEL 00123002__R5_8275
AlphaTauri Boss Franz Tost had considered Schumacher for the vacant seat after Pierre Gasly’s move to Alpine. At that time, Marko rubbished the consideration, saying that Schumacher was a part of the Ferrari Driver Academy and that AlphaTauri only signed junior drivers. And because of that, Schumacher could not find a driver’s seat for 2023.
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In this case, do you think it was Toto Wolff who played politics against Red Bull? Or is it Marko who is trying to cover up his moves? In either case, Schumacher has been caught between the two sides for no doing of his own.
