Helmut Marko’s classless Daniel Ricciardo clip after Red Bull axing

A Red Bull supremo has come under heavy fire over comments he made in the wake of Daniel Ricciardo being axed from the team.

James McKern

@jLmcKern

3 min read

September 27, 2024 - 9:31AM

Have Red Bull treated Ricciardo like s**t?

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has never shied away from making ruthless comments and he did it again on Friday.

In the wake of Daniel Ricciardo officially being axed by Red Bull, the 81-year-old didn’t pull any punches as he spoke about the Australian being sent packing.

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As speculation ran rife throughout the entirety of the recent Singapore Grand Prix, Marko stated Ricciardo had been made aware ahead of the race that it would be his last.

In a brutal clip for the departing 34-year-old, Marko said Ricciardo had lost his “killer instinct” and that’s what ultimately led to his return resulting in failure.

Outrage was sparked following the race in Singapore as fans took aim at Red Bull for failing to give Ricciardo a proper farewell … Marko, however, said the Aussie had a “worthy farewell performance” after he nabbed the fastest lap away from Lando Norris.

Marko didn’t pull any punches. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Ricciardo is out the door. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

“(The timing) was related to a variety of factors and obligations,” he told Motorsport Total. “He was informed, and the worthy farewell performance was, I think, the fastest lap.

“That still showed what potential he has, not continuously and not at the level that would have justified him coming to Red Bull Racing, but that was an impeccable performance.

“I don’t know what exactly happened, because if we knew, we would have helped him. But the speed and, above all, this late braking, and then he goes left or right … in these last few years he tried but it was no longer there, the killer instinct was gone.

“I think it was clearly communicated that he has to be significantly better than Yuki Tsunoda, and he only managed that in a few races, so it was clear that this story of the prodigal son rejoining Red Bull Racing unfortunately didn’t work out.

“He said very well that he is at peace with himself and he has come to terms with the situation, and we will see what his plans for the future are.”

Ricciardo and Marko in happier times. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

The frank comments from Marko came under heavy fire from broken hearted Ricciardo fans who lashed out at the Red Bull supremo on social media.

“Marko sure knows how to kick people when they’re down,” one Redditor wrote.

A second added: “No one is questioning the decision, people are questioning the execution of the decision.”

A third wrote: “Oh Helmut, could you at least pipe down for a day before stomping on a driver you just fired?”

A fourth added: “Red Bull should put a muzzle on Marko. Time and place.”

Ricciardo deserved better than this. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)

While Marko’s comments infuriated Formula 1 fans, they’re far from out of place for the veteran advisor.

Marko has a long history of delivering ruthless remarks about the drivers within the Red Bull garage, with Ricciardo finding himself on the receiving end countless times.

Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix this year, Marko applied the blow torch to the Aussie as he labelled him “too slow” and said he must “come up with something soon”.

Ricciardo wasn’t the only one to cop heat from Marko throughout 2024 with Sergio Perez feeling the heat of his stinging barbs.

Despite Perez’s lacklustre performances, Red Bull elected to stick with the 34-year-old Mexican driver … signing him to a two-year contract.

Perez has been under constant fire. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

Liam Lawson is taking Ricciardo’s place. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

It’s hardly surprising considering the ruthless nature Red Bull have displayed for so long, but what left fans feeling so filled with rage was the treatment of the Australian driver.