Helmut Marko’s comments aimed towards Kimi Antonelli after the Qatar Grand Prix drew some heavy criticism online.
After the Austrian claimed it was ‘so obvious’ that he had moved over on purpose to let McLaren’s Lando Norris by in the race, some couldn’t believe his accusation.
Whilst competing at the highest level, he felt that a rival had set out to give another team an advantage on purpose.
Of course, that was never Antonelli’s intention, and he simply tried to catch a snap of oversteer, resulting in him going off-track.
It wasn’t an ideal outcome for Red Bull, but Marko’s comments were out of line and resulted in a statement from his team the next day on social media.
Red Bull sent an ‘obvious’ message to McLaren during podium celebrations, and at the season finale, they have them under some solid pressure.
Helmut Marko privately admitted to Ralf Schumacher that he was wrong about Kimi Antonelli in Qatar
Unfortunately, there was plenty of negative reaction to Antonelli’s mistake online, which prompted him to change his Instagram profile photo. He was clearly affected by some vile abuse.
It’s up to role models like Marko to set a good example and a precedent for the championship, which he failed to do. Although eventually he reneged, the damage had been done.
Now, Ralf Schumacher has revealed what Marko told him privately the next day, after he called him to admit where he went wrong in Qatar.
“Well, I don’t think much of it at all,” Schumacher told Formel1.de about the incident. “I was standing up front, watching it with Peter here on the monitor, and then a fellow journalist stood behind me.
“I don’t want to mention the name, but he himself once had an important role in a Formula 1 team and then said, ‘Yes, that was intentional.’ I turned around and said ‘There, you’re crazy, what the hell is this c—? You can see that it wasn’t intentional.’
“So you can, if you can say anything at all, tell us why he let himself go with Piastri, but Piastri was so fast at that time, so much faster, that was clever,” he continued. “And then I thought to myself, ‘Guys, you finally have to stop talking such [rubbish].’ Then we had Dr Marko appear, and he said that.
“I’m sorry Helmut, that’s nonsense. Yes, and you can see that Helmut didn’t argue with it at all. It was just something that was going on inside him,” said Schumacher. “The next day, he called me and said, ‘Ralf, you’re right, I have to tell you. I’m telling you, I’m being completely honest.’
“You don’t watch anyone [online], you have nothing to do with the internet – that’s a problem, you have to explain that, and that’s what they did. I think that’s great.”
Why Mercedes could play a pivotal role in the outcome of the 2025 F1 title
Although they might have influenced things in a negative way for Red Bull in Qatar, they need to be best friends with Mercedes in Abu Dhabi.
They’re hoping that one or two of their cars can be between them and Norris at the end of Sunday’s race, to give them a chance of sealing one of the greatest comebacks ever.
The Silver Arrows are usually speedy at Abu Dhabi, and it’s a track that seems to suit their car. Red Bull are outsiders, though, and are still hoping for a lot of luck.
The first lap is going to be crucial in shaping how things turn out. On lap one last year, Piastri collided with Verstappen, and if that happens again, it would be a sensational turn of events. Anything could happen.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
