Former Red Bull F1 racer Jaime Alguersuari has branded Helmut Marko’s approach to handling young drivers as “evil” following his comments about Isack Hadjar.

After spinning out on the formation lap in Australia, rookie Hadjar was in tears and was consoled by Anthony Hamilton – the father of Lewis – in the paddock, and by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

However, Marko said Hadjar crying was “embarrassing”, something he earned criticism for, with Alguersauri, who was the youngest-ever F1 driver when handed his debut at the 2009 Hungarian GP, has called the veteran Austrian out. 

“I don’t think Helmut has changed, I think Formula 1 has changed, but I think Helmut Marko hasn’t changed and he won’t change,” Alguersauri told Talksport. 

“He has no interest in changing. I think things have worked for Red Bull so far and for Helmut, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for the next ten years in terms of having this method or this mindset with drivers.

“You see what happened to [Isack] Hadjar and you see two different reactions from two different people. 

“You see Anthony Hamilton and you see Helmut Marko. Anthony had no interest in this kid, just that he just personally felt so bad for him and he went to support him and he gave him his love and support as a dad. He felt like his dad.

“Then you have the other side being evil and just laughing at you, which is the way Helmut Marko has performed and is well known for doing that.”

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Marko’s controversial comments

Algersauri also touched on some of Marko’s controversial comments, such as in 2023 when he referred to Sergio Perez as “South American” and stereotyped that Perez’s heritage could be a reason why he could not cope with pressure, unlike Europeans Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. 

“I actually think Formula 1 and the FIA should penalise some of the comments because you can be tough and you can be very disciplined or whatever, but you can’t be offensive to cultures, to religions and to whole countries,” Alguersauri continued.

“It’s penalised in football, it’s penalised in many sports and it should be penalised in Formula 1 for the sake, for the good, and for the image of F1.

“As I said, I do defend Helmut Marko in a way, but in another way, I would criticise some of the comments and aspects of him.”