Helmut Marko confims talks with FIA and F1 owners over Lewis Hamilton decisions

Lewis Hamilton goes undercover to inspire school children (LONG VERSION)

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Red Bull boss Helmut Marko has confirmed there have been talks between the FIA and his team to explain the reasoning behind some of the decisions during the intense Formula 1 season. The 2021 campaign has thrilled from the off thanks to the gripping world championship battle between Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Hamilton reigned supreme in Brazil and Qatar as he narrowed the gap on Verstappen at the top of the world championship standings to just eight points with two races left.

Verstappen’s advantage has since slipped from 19 points to eight, with 52 still up for grabs at the remaining two rounds of the season in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

The tension between the two rival outfits has moved off the track at times, with bosses Toto Wolff and Christian Horner becoming embroiled in a number of bitter verbal exchanges. 

Marko, the adviser to Red Bull and head of their driver development program, originally believed there was a ‘one-sidedness’ in the decisions made, but he has since had fruitful conversations with the governing body and F1 owner, Liberty Media.

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“We felt that there was a certain one-sidedness in the decisions,” the Austrian told Motorsport.com Netherlands.

“But in the meantime, we have had several discussions with the FIA and also with Liberty, so I would say that it is ‘part of the game’.”

Tensions have risen recently, with both Horner and Wolff desperate to get the better of each other in both drivers and constructors’ championships. 

There have been allegations of illegal parts on the W12 and RB16B, and Marko is particularly frustrated with the flexi-wing debate that came to light in Azerbaijan.

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“When Mercedes saw that we were equal or even faster, they first came up with flexi-wings and then all sorts of other sham arguments,” Mark added.

“We took those actions as a very unsportsmanlike gesture and, after that, we also focused on what happens at Mercedes, for example with this wings. 

“That all comes with it when the battle is as intense as it is this year and especially when someone is not used to another team being able to offer competition.”

Questions of legality have been a theme across the season, with Hamilton suffering a disqualification from qualifying in Brazil for a breach in regulations surrounding his rear wing.

Such decisions have led to Horner and Wolff clashing off the track, with Red Bull’s team principal receiving an official warning from the FIA – but Marko insisted it was simply part of the sport.

“You support your own driver, of course, and yes, by doing so you discredit your opponent to a certain extent,” the 78-year-old added.

“But anyway, that’s logical in itself, as long as it stays within limits.”

Hamilton is now just eight points behind Verstappen in the championship standings ahead of the final two races which are believed to both favour the straight-line speed of Mercedes.

In the constructors’ championship, Mercedes still have an advantage by five points, despite Valtteri Bottas’ retirement in Qatar.

The two championships will therefore be decided in the final two races, with the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on December 5 followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 12. 

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