Getty
SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 02: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing talks with Dr Helmut Marko as he prepares to drive during practice for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Getty
SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 02: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing talks with Dr Helmut Marko as he prepares to drive during practice for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Red Bull Racing’s frustrations with Lewis Hamilton don’t seem to die down. The team’s advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko has. once again, voiced his problems with the FIA. While Marko agrees that Red Bull have been on par with their rivals, it’s the penalties and crashes of the season that taint the success.
After Red Bull’s appeal to review Hamilton’s 10-second-penalty for the Silverstone crash was denied, Marko analyzed the relationship between penalties. “Vettel was disqualified because there was not enough gas in the tank. We have to come back to the relationship between the penalties. Where is the relation compared to Hamilton’s offense?”
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Reuters
Formula One F1 – British Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain – July 18, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen leads at the start of the race ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton REUTERS/Peter Cziborra
Red Bull are leaving the first half of the season feeling frustrated about where they are and are angry at Mercedes for putting them there. But do Marko’s comments about the penalties come from a place of reason or resentment?
Helmut Marko on Lewis’ team radio
Hamilton’s 11-lap battle with Fernando Alonso was a highlight of the race at Budapest. While Alonso defended his position beautifully, Lewis complained in the car behind him. In calling Alonso’s driving “dangerous,” Helmut Marko is angry with the Mercedes driver as well.
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary – August 1, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action REUTERS/David W Cerny
“There is Hamilton’s statement about Fernando Alonso’s dangerous driving. He drove sensationally, defended perfectly, and then made this statement from someone who shot out a competitor one race earlier.”
Read More: WATCH: Toto Wolff’s Desperate Call to Renault Boss That Saved Esteban Ocon’s F1 Career
Off-track battles between Mercedes and Red Bull
In addition to their racing battles, the two teams also fight off the track for the way the public perceives them. Many sympathized with Red Bull after the British GP.
However, after the news that RBR created evidence against Hamilton to present to the FIA, the support dwindled. The stewards were also unhappy with documents provided by the Milton Keynes team.
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – May 9, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen leads Mercedes’Lewis Hamilton at the start of the race REUTERS/Albert Gea
In response, Mercedes released a statement condemning Red Bull’s attempt to tarnish Hamilton’s name. However, after Hungary with Bottas’ collision, the German team don’t look too good either, with Toto Wolff and Bottas’ apologies regarding the incident. The war between the two team bosses and drivers has almost become psychological.
Either way, the war of words will reach its eventual end as both drivers make their way to Spa to resume the hot-blooded championship battle.
Watch this story: Toto Wolff Swears, Valtteri Bottas Bares: Funniest Moments From Drive to Survive
