冥界mut Marko addresses Sergio Perez comments after Daniel Ricciardo test confirmed

Henry Valantine 28 Jun 2023 4:15 PM

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko. Canada June 2023.

冥界mut Marko has claimed “a lot was taken out of context” regarding his comments around Daniel Ricciardo’s tyre test with Red Bull in July.

The Australian is down to drive the RB19 for three days of tyre testing for Pirelli after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, which Marko believes will allow the team to “evaluate where he really stands” in terms of pace.

他补充说,研究小组希望“保持该俱乐部ns open” around their drivers, leading to speculation around Perez’s future after a dip in form, following an excellent start to the 2023 season in which he took two wins from the opening four races.

What Helmut Marko said to confirm Daniel Ricciardo test

Marko spoke to media last week and announced Ricciardo would take the wheel of the RB19 in July, with the addition that the team would look at “succession” planning over Perez, who is contracted to a Red Bull seat until the end of 2024.

“We will have Ricciardo in the car for three days after Silverstone at the tyre test and then you can evaluate where Ricciardo really stands,” Marko told Austrian broadcaster ORF.

“His initial target was two, three years, which would be more than he planned anyway, and you just have to keep options open for the succession,” he added when addressing the lack of form Perez is currently experiencing, having not made it out of Q2 in the past three races and fallen 69 points behind Max Verstappen at the top of the Drivers’ standings.

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When he was asked more recently about speculation surrounding Perez and his future with Red Bull as a result of Ricciardo circling around the team as reserve driver, the Red Bull motorsport advisor was quick to say that it was not true.

He did add the Mexican has been up and down in form, however, and urged him to “refocus” for the races ahead, without the need for “World title dreams”.

“A lot was taken out of context,” Marko explained to Austrian publicationKleine Zeitung.

“Daniel Ricciardo does test drives, yes, but that doesn’t have much to do with the sport. Perez has had a few very good races and a few very bad ones.

“He needs to refocus and deliver the best he can, there’s no need for World title dreams. On the positive side, he’s the first to survive two seasons alongside Max.”