Crimson Bull motorsport guide Helmut Marko, one of many main figures within the dominant Components One staff, apologised on Friday for blaming Mexican driver Sergio Perez’s fluctuating kind on his ethnicity.

The 80-year-old Austrian, a former racer who was a detailed buddy of Crimson Bull’s late proprietor Dietrich Mateschitz, issued a proper assertion by way of the www.servustv.com web site.

“I want to apologise for my offensive comment and wish to make it completely clear that I don’t consider that we will generalise concerning the folks from any nation, any race, any ethnicity,” he mentioned.

“I used to be attempting to make some extent that Checo [Perez] has fluctuated in his efficiency this 12 months, nevertheless it was incorrect to attribute this to his cultural heritage.”

Marko had made his remarks on the power drink firm’s tv station following final weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

“We all know that he has issues in qualifying, he has fluctuations in kind, he’s South American and he’s simply not as utterly targeted in his head as Max [Verstappen] is or as Sebastian [Vettel],” he mentioned then.

It was not the primary time Marko has referred to Perez as a South American, the Mexican comes from Guadalajara which is geographically in North America.

South America has additionally produced extra Components One world champions than any nation aside from Britain and among the sport’s biggest drivers.

An try by Marko to make clear his feedback solely dug a deeper gap.

The www.oe24.at web site on Friday reported Marko as saying: “It wasn’t meant that approach. I meant {that a} Mexican has a special mentality than a German or a Dutchman. However who is aware of, perhaps it is managed.”

The preliminary feedback made headlines in Mexico and throughout the web.

Mexican Grand Prix organisers expressed their assist for Perez in a press release.

“Inappropriate feedback haven’t any place in any surroundings, together with sport. It is vital that measures are taken to stop it and that apologies are made when needed,” they mentioned. “We invite everybody to construct a extra respectful and united Components One group, encouraging wholesome competitors each on and off the observe.”

Whereas Marko attends races in Crimson Bull Racing uniform, he studies to the power drink firm and isn’t an worker of the British-based champions.

“This can not maintain taking place to Sergio Perez,” The Race had declared earlier. “He deserves higher than to have to smile and bear derogatory remarks from a senior determine in Crimson Bull’s Components One organisation. The best way Helmut Marko talks about him must cease.”

The @RBR_Daily fan web page on social media website X, beforehand Twitter, additionally condemned Marko’s feedback.

“Such feedback won’t be tolerated. A racial stereotype was used to criticise his efficiency which is totally disgraceful and inexcusable,” it mentioned.

Perez joined Crimson Bull in 2021 with the staff searching for a strong staff mate to assist Dutch driver Max Verstappen, who’s now heading for his third world title. Germany’s now-retired Vettel gained 4 for Crimson Bull from 2010-13.

The Mexican has gained six races, two of them this season, and has a contract for 2024.

He’s second general within the championship however is 145 factors behind Verstappen after 14 of twenty-two races and his future after 2024 stays unsure.

Marko did praise Perez for ending second in Italy final weekend, a race that handed Verstappen a file tenth win in a row.

“He had an excellent race. Overtaking three drivers, in George Russell and the Ferraris, was not simple,” mentioned the Austrian.