Helmut Marko's attempt to apologise for an outrageous comment about Sergio Perez only makes the situation worse.

It's not unusual to see outrage on social media in reaction to Helmut Marko, but in all honesty comments the Austrian made earlier this week were fully deserving of the subsequent backlash.

"We know that he has problems in qualifying," the Red Bull man said following the Mexican's performance at Monza, "he has fluctuations in form.

"He is South American," he continued, "and he is just not as completely focused in his head as Max is or as Sebastian."

Ignoring the fact that Mexico is geographically classed as North America, South America, in Juan Manuel Fangio, Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna is only beaten by Great Britain in terms of F1 championship titles.

Organisers of the forthcoming Mexican Grand Prix were quick to react, issuing a terse statement.

"Inappropriate comments have no place in any environment, including sport," it read. "It is important that measures are taken to prevent it and that apologies are made when necessary.

"We invite everyone to build a more respectful and united Formula One community, encouraging healthy competition both on and off the track," it concluded.

Taking to Servus.tv, Marko attempted to calm the situation.

"I would like to apologise for my offensive remark and want to make it absolutely clear that I do not believe that we can generalise about the people from any country, any race, any ethnicity," he said.

"I was trying to make a point that Checo has fluctuated in his performance this year, but it was wrong to attribute this to his cultural heritage."

Mindful of the speed with which Estonian racer Juri Vips was suspended and then dropped by the Red Bull Junior Team following comments he had made during a Twitch livestream, there have been calls for Marko - who was responsible for terminating the driver's contract - to face similar treatment.

Clearly keen to move on, and calm the situation, the Austrian only appeared to dig himself into an increasingly deepening hole.

"It wasn't meant that way," he said, according to Austrian website oe24.at. "I meant that a Mexican has a different mentality than a German or a Dutchman. But who knows, maybe it's controlled."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 14/09/2023 13:57

"Always looking on the bright side of life...or trying to after having our convict heritage to dwell on. haha On my sheila's side there's more that one 'wild colonial boy'. Fascinating felons all."

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2. Posted by Editor, 14/09/2023 13:25

"@ Kenji,

No actually it was John, Eric, Michael, Graham and Terry...

"

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3. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 14/09/2023 12:58

"@ Editor

Thank you for adding a touch of humour to the conversation.

Of course, whilst the stereotypes you’ve mentioned about Australians exist, they are not negative characterisations. They are considered benign and light-hearted, and they don’t come with a history of systemic discrimination or marginalisation."

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4. Posted by kenji, 14/09/2023 12:53

"@ Ed. and G'day right back at ya. You've been spending too much time with your pal Max who no doubt has been your 'ocker coach' . Gunna shoot thru now so cya"

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5. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 14/09/2023 12:48

"@Kenji - when someone writes “do your own research” it’s usually to deflect a question or avoid providing specific information to back up an argument.

Having only ever lived in Europe, and never having heard ANY negative stereotypes about “Aussies”, I thought maybe there was some prejudices that existed elsewhere that had passed me by. So I did my own research and found nothing. That’s why I was hoping you’d come up with some ready examples.

Growing up, I remember stereotypical slurs about nationalities being quite commonplace. Where I lived, it was mostly about the Irish and Germans and sometimes the Japanese or Chinese.

Of course, in the USA, the “lazy Mexican” stereotype has been perpetuated in various forms of media, including films, cartoons, and television shows, especially in the earlier half of the 20th century.

Thankfully, most people now recognise that using those stereotypes is harmful, counterproductive and simply unnecessary.

Whilst it’s true that everyone is entitled to their opinions, I make no apology for challenging the notion that holding a prejudiced viewpoint is merely a “controversial opinion”. If “wokejokery”= “anti-bigotry”, then I embrace it!

Finally, it’s probably a good idea that you’re bowing out now, since it appears you’ve borrowed Herr Marko’s shovel!

Enjoy Singapore, too."

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6. Posted by Editor, 14/09/2023 9:08

"@ Kenji

Mate, next you'll be telling us that your real name’s not Bruce and your wife's isn't Sheila.

That on non-race weekends you don't go out shooting roos from your ute, and race weekends you don't sit there clutching an ice cold tinny of the amber nectar in your hand whilst wearing a bush hat with corks hanging from the brim.

I’ll get my coat

G’day!"

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7. Posted by kenji, 14/09/2023 1:22

"OOPS...what went wrong there?"

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8. Posted by kenji, 14/09/2023 1:20

"@Ricardo-Sanchez....do your own research. One hint, listen to the test cricket commentary from the last British/Australian Ashes clash. over the series. I am still amazed at the response by a few stoked 'wokies'. One employeee of RB makes an offhand generalised comment re his ideas of Mexicans' focused mental application and attitude, according to him, and it's touted as grounds for his dismissal. These 'wokejokes' are exactly that. Everyones entitled to form their own opinions. Everyone who follows F1 knows that Marko is prone to making statements that are sometimes controversial. I say that's a healthy democratic convention. This is my final comment on the issue. It's run its course and has become boring for most people. Enjoy Singapore....I will."

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9. Posted by kenji, 14/09/2023 1:00

"@Ricardo-sanchez....I forgot to add that this has gone far enough and I will not be adding anything more to the debate. It's become too detached and non F1. Enjoy Singapore, I will."

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10. Posted by kenji, 14/09/2023 0:57

"@Ricardo-Sanchez...'widely acknowledged' expanding the record? My immediate suggestion is 'do your own research' . You might like to start with comment from the British commentators during the last Ashes Test Cricket series in the UK. One comment from one RB employee and you claim that it's 'stereotyping' Who else has commented that Mexicans are ethnically inconsistent participants? Evidence to suport that claim? It was a harmless throwaway line by Marko and any one who follows F1 would be well aware of his seemingly provocative 'call outs' from time to time. The woke brigade are now calling for his 'dismissal'.....another 'wokejoke'."

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11. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 13/09/2023 21:15

"@kenji - please give us an example of a widely-acknowledged stereotype about Australians that casts them in a bad light? "

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12. Posted by kenji, 12/09/2023 23:59

"@Elsiebc....very good post. As an Australian one would have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to be aware of varied comments from many different countries regarding the typical 'Aussie' ....both good and bad. So what? Playing the victim is just so stereotypical."

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13. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 12/09/2023 20:04

"@elsiebc - This discussion is less about reinforcing stereotypes and more about questioning their utility and their wider impact.

Stereotypes, even when they are deemed ‘positive,’ can confine individuals to specific roles or expectations. Why do that? What’s the point?

The small minority of us labelled “woke” are simply questioning the relevance and appropriateness of stereotypes. In Formula 1, individual skill and team collaboration should be the real measures of worth.

And it isn’t about having ‘a good assortment of detail brushes for the Sammy Davis, Jr’s of the world’; it’s about refraining from painting with a broad brush in the first place! Evaluating individuals on their own merits, rather than resorting to stereotypes isn’t exactly difficult.

Marko could - and should - have addressed his concerns about Perez without resorting to ethnic or cultural stereotypes. If one person is problematic, it doesn’t justify making broad generalisations about a whole group of people.

Robert Kennedy famously said ”… each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. And crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest wall of oppression and resistance.”

I firmly believe we should reject casual racism, in all forms. Why not create ripples of change, rather than perpetuate lazy stereotypes? "

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14. Posted by elsiebc, 12/09/2023 16:19

"I see there's several here who, ironically, are stereotyping stereotypes. Not all stereotypes are negatively prejudicial or marginalize groups. Asians excel in math, German engineering, Italian lovers, blacks are good at basketball. When I was growing up all comedians and doctors were Jewish. [That's not to say that all Jews were comedians or doctors, some were bankers :-) ]
Some folks even embrace their stereotypes: "that's just my Irish temper."

Fact is stereotypes exist because they are generally true. And just as there are "good" traits and "bad" traits in each of us, there are the same in different cultures. And many of those traits may be good or bad depending on how they are viewed, so your viewpoint may not always coincide with someone else's. (Such as the tendency to "siesta")

So I'm guessing that possibly none of us here have spoken with Perez. Or Vips. Or at least not at length. Had a beer? Worked alongside? Know their family? Maybe Marko's characterization or Perez is spot on, regardless of what you want to believe. And maybe Vips was problematic in some ways and a good excuse presented itself.

Personally, I think it's fine to paint with wide brushes as long as you have a good assortment of detail brushes for the Sammy Davis, Jr's of the world. It's way more preferential than those trying to whitewash us all with a three foot roller.

"

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15. Posted by Spindoctor, 12/09/2023 13:21

"Just to be perfectly clear, I've no objection to plain speaking about anybody or anything. My hackles are raised when people are criticised and\or belittled not for who they are, why they believe in, nor what they have done or left undone, but based on stupid & ignorant prejudice or stereotypes.

It's all about recognising a person's individuality and allowing them that dignity. By all means criticise Cheko's inconsistency & propensity for damaging expensive cars, but please let's not ascribe that to some ludicrous notion of "Mexicans" - seemingly based on the portrayal in Movies like a "Fistful of Dollars" etc."

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Marko keeps digging

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