Helmut Marko joked that one F1 driver should ‘go to church’ more amid poor form

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Helmut Marko is known as one of the most outspoken figures in the Formula 1 paddock. The Red Bull executive director frequently makes headlines with his typically blunt remarks.

For much of this year, he has publicly applied pressure to Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo. Perez has staved off the threat of losing his seat during the summer break, but he will be under intense scrutiny again from the Dutch Grand Prix onwards.

Ricciardo was one of the drivers in contention to replace the Mexican if the Red Bull bosses decided to make a change. But at the same, his position on the grid has been at risk.

Marko has said RB must become a junior team again, suggesting the 35-year-old could be in peril. Liam Lawson fronts an exciting group of youngsters in their ranks, one that also includes F2 championship leader Isack Hadjar.

But Marko has also made his feelings clear on some of Red Bull’s rivals. For instance, he recently said that Oscar Piastri was mentally stronger than Lando Norris.

And speaking in June, Marko also criticised Lance Stroll, questioning whether he was prepared to ‘work very hard’ for success. The 81-year-old recently signed a new contract, so he’ll remain a vocal presence for another couple of years at least.

Helmut Marko joked that Sergio Perez needed divine intervention

Speaking on Disney+’s new documentary ‘Checo Perez: Never Give Up‘, Marko joked about his driver’s poor form. The series follows Perez’s 2023 campaign, which unravelled after a promising start.

He won two of the first four races, suggesting he could mount a challenge to Max Verstappen in the drivers’ championship. But by the end of the year, he was a record-breaking 290 points behind.

Between the Spanish Grand Prix at the start of June and the finale in Abu Dhabi, he scored just five podiums in 16 races. Verstappen won 15 of those in what was the most dominant car in F1 history.

“Maybe you should go more to church!” Marko jokes in one behind-the-scenes clip from the documentary.

In response, Perez laughed and said: “Maybe I should focus more and not do mistakes!”

Damon Hill thinks Max Verstappen is pressuring Red Bull to sign Sergio Perez replacement

Christian Horner has prevailed in the Red Bull power struggle, which means the final decision on the team’s driver line-up rests with him. Marko will still be influential, as will external forces.

Indeed, £69bn Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim intervened to help Perez, as did F1’s commercial rights holders Liberty Media. It’s not just as simple as Horner being governed by his own opinion.

Verstappen’s views are also key. Marko’s new contract removes an exit route for the world champion, who may now have to wait until the end of 2025 if he wants to change teams.

Damon Hill thinks Verstappen would be ‘quite happy’ to partner Ricciardo again, at the expense of Perez. The question is whether he’s actively pushing for the Australian to return.