After Ayrton Senna’s F1 Dominance, Helmut Backs This Red Bull Protege to Bring Back Brazil Their Deserved Glory: “He’s the Right Man for Us”

Dr. Helmut Marko is one of the most influential personalities on the F1 paddock. As head of the Red Bull junior drivers’ program, he’s responsible for bringing one of the most talented prodigies, aged 17 at the time, to the grid. The rest, as they say, is history as Max Verstappen is now a 2-time champion and has just reached his peak. Moreover, the Austrian also hinted that we could soon see a Brazilian driver on the grid.

The last Brazilian driver to win a race was Rubens Barrichello in the 2009 Italian Grand Prix. The South American country awaits its next driver in F1 with desperation. However, according to Dr. Helmut Marko, that wait could soon end.

Emerson Fittipaldi, who waved the checkered flag this past weekend in the Brazilian GP, is a two-time F1 champion. He was one of the best drivers of his generation, competing against the likes of Niki Lauda. Moreover, his grandson Enzo Fittipaldi has signed with the Red Bull Racing family and currently races in F2.

Ayrton Senna was the last Brazilian world champion in F1. The 3-time winner’s untimely demise shocked F1 and the world. Felipe Massa came ever so close to winning it in 2008. However, Lewis Hamilton was there to spoil the party for the Brazilian.

Helmut Marko had big words and expectations for the Brazilian, Enzo Fittipaldi. Marko told ORF, “If he can perform well there, then he is the right man for us. Brazil hasn’t had a winning driver for a while. It’s time to take care of that again. Maybe Fittipaldi is the right candidate.” [Translated from Google Translate]

READ MORE: Max Verstappen Blasted by F1 Champion for ‘Revenge’ Game at Brazilian GP

The Brazilian will attack his next season of Formula 2 with new team Carlin, alongside his teammate, Liam Lawson.

Max Verstappen-Sergio Perez feud discussed internally claims Red Bull boss Helmut Marko

This past Sunday was an ugly afternoon for Red Bull and everybody involved. However, they will be looking to keep the fiasco aside and focus ahead on this week’s race. Sergio Perez will go head-to-head with Charles Leclerc for the runners-up finish in the driver’s constructors. Moreover, Dr. Helmut Marko claimed that Sunday’s issue was solved internally between the teammates.

Marko said, “From his point of view Max will do everything possible there so that Checo can achieve second place in the World Championship.”

He also added, “That here in Brazil has been ticked off and clarified and we’re going to Abu Dhabi with this premise. Everything has been clarified internally, we will work as a team there.”

In case of the rare incident where both the drivers finish level on points, Charles Leclerc will finish 2nd as the Monegasque has won more races (3) as compared to Perez (2).

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Sergio Perez will be focussing on winning the Abu Dhabi GP to put to prove his mettle. However, it remains to be seen how he deals with his teammate on the circuit. Can Checo and Max Verstappen put behind Sunday’s drama and work together as a team again?