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Marko convinced Hamilton 'always feels compelled to interfere' after Albon/Gasly switch

Published on 10 Sep 2020 16:35
8
By: Coilin Higgins

Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko has said he believes six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton 'always feels compelled to interfere' after recent comments made by the Mercedes driver.

In a recent interview with German television channel Sport1, Marko addressed comments he made last year saying Hamilton had repeatedly called the team multiple times in order to convince them to replace the then struggling Pierre Gasly with Alexander Albon.

Marko said in the interview that Hamilton did not call the team but instead approached team principal Christian Horner and suggested the team make the swap on a flight they shared together.

The team did eventually promote Albon at the expense of Gasly on the run up to last year's Belgian Grand Prix but Marko insists Hamilton's advice played no role in the team's decision to do so.

“The truth is: Lewis did not call in 2019 but he approached our team boss Christian Horner in the plane and recommended to put Albon instead of Pierre Gasly in the car," Marko revealed.

“I have no idea why Hamilton always feels compelled to interfere, but it doesn’t matter to us what opinion people from outside have.

“The one he wanted to get rid of last summer has now won the Italian Grand Prix with our AlphaTauri team.”

Marko 'doesn't understand' Hamilton's recent comments

Marko also took a dig at Hamilton in an interview with Sky Germany last weekend at Monza, claiming he does not understand the British driver's recent comments in regards to Albon's recent poor performances with the team after he was pushing Red Bull to promote the Thai driver last year.

At last month's Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton suggested to various media sources that Albon was not doing enough on track to support teammate Max Verstappen.

“I don’t quite understand this,” Marko explained.

“Hamilton called us several times last year to tell us to put Albon in the car. These statements are not quite comprehensible to me.”

mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332

Marko trying to portray the Gasly switch as a Lewis’s initiative?

1
Sep 11 2020 - 12:18

F1 News Lewis Hamilton Helmut Marko Red Bull Racing

Replies (8)

f1ski

Posts: 726
this is lewis trying to get in the head of RBR
- + 0
- Sep 11 2020 - 03:03
ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
Lewis doesn't say a lot, but what he does say is always calculated. Very little spontaneous responses. He's probably annoyed with Marko and Chris Horner, who do talk a lot to the press being critical of Mercedes.

It does have to be said that Lewis called for Gasly's demotion last year, and now he's strongly implied the same about Albon.
- + 0
- Sep 11 2020 - 07:04
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I disagree on "Lewis not saying a lot". He seem far too keen on mimicing Marko these days. Imagine a tea party with those two! I'd beg for someone to end my suffering!
  + 0
  
  Sep 11 2020 - 09:27
mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
Marko trying to portray the Gasly switch as a Lewis’s initiative?
- + 1
- Sep 11 2020 - 12:18
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  more like Hammy trying to portray it as it is he who affects how RBH pick their drivers, while Marko's saying he isn't in typical Marko fashion.
  + 0
  
  Sep 11 2020 - 12:48
Pistonhead

Posts: 556
Total non story, anything coming from Marko has to her treated with some scepticism.
- + 0
- Sep 11 2020 - 22:35
MarkZ

Posts: 31
Ugh! Gasly Gasly Gasly!! Let's be honest. He only won the race because of Lewis' penalty!
- + 0
- Sep 12 2020 - 14:18
- abhidbgt
  
  Posts: 283
  Does anyone other than those in Mercedes and RedBull win if there aren't extraordinary circumstances?
  + 0
  
  Sep 13 2020 - 14:23