There is absolutely no denying that Formula 1 and controversies go hand-in-hand. Back in 2022, ex-world champion and Max Verstappen’s father-in-law, Nelson Piquet, found himself in quite a ruffle after hurling racial remarks at Lewis Hamilton, only for the Brazilian to be banned from the F1 paddock indefinitely. One year later, it was Helmut Marko standing in place of Piquet while the victim turned out to be Sergio Perez.
The Austrian talent hunter reasoned Perez’s ethnicity for his fluctuations in performance this season. “We know that he has problems in qualifying, he has fluctuations in form, he is South American and he is just not as completely focused in his head as Max [Verstappen] is or as Sebastian [Vettel],” he said in an interview. It was factually incorrect too.
Firstly, Perez is a North American and secondly, South America has produced some of the greatest drivers in the history of F1; Ayrton Senna, Juan Manuel Fangio, and of course, Nelson Piquet, all being world champions. But, here’s something more interesting, which is also a question probably running inside almost everyone’s mind – does Marko really treat Max Verstappen the same way?
According to F1 commentator, Fernando Tornello, Marko has a soft spot for Verstappen and is scared of triggering a feud with the Dutchman for one reason.
F1 pundit reveals why Max Verstappen is kept on a pedastal at Red Bull
The Latin American-focused commentator opined that Marko is most likely intimidated by the thought of losing Verstappen out to other Formula 1 teams and hence, chooses not to pick a fight with him. Tornello further anointed the Flying Dutchman a “spoiled child” while speaking to Esto newspaper.
Credits: Planet F1
“He doesn’t just do it with Checo – he’s like it with everyone. He just doesn’t speak badly about Verstappen because Verstappen doesn’t give him any reason. In fact, he must treat him (Max) like a spoiled child, so he doesn’t go somewhere else. They need to keep him there,” he said according to Grandpx.News.
“Verstappen is a driver who scores more than a 10, while Checo is a driver who normally does not score below an 8 or 9. That is very good for a driver – I think there have been drivers who have become champions with weaker performances than what Checo can do.”
Overall, do you believe Verstappen is really being treated differently compared to Perez? If so, could the element be the reason behind Perez’s recent drop in form? Let’s hear from you.
