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Marko about discussion with Hamilton. "He apologized and that's okay"

30 June 2020 at 15:37
  • GPblog.com

Helmut Marko was recently in the news because of a remarkable statement he would have made about Lewis Hamilton and the actions he takes around racism and inequality in the world. Hamilton had again reacted strongly to Marko's statements, but later it turned out that Esentially Sports had misused quotes, taking it completely out of context.

Marko has now spoken with Auto, Motor und Sport about that period. "A quote was then completely taken out of context. It went to a question why Max Verstappen would be able to compete for the world championship. I then said that 'Verstappen only has Formula 1 and nothing else, while other drivers have other interests in their lives'. I never said the name Hamilton."

Three to four hours of trouble

That statement at RTL Germany was therefore wrongly adopted by a single source, after which it was spread all over the world. Eventually it became clear that there was a wrong quote and that Marko had never made those statements. Originally RTL Germany was also confronted with Marko's false statements. 

"Even RTL got an enormous amount of reactions because they would broadcast quotes with a racist background". The final discussion lasted less than a day, but in those few hours that the discussion was going on, a lot happened. "Until that calms down, you have three to four hours of trouble." In the end Marko and Hamilton worked it out. "He apologized in writing and that's okay," said the advisor of Red Bull Racing.