Marko counters: "I have no problem with the Schumacher name"
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Helmut Marko has been recently accused by Ralf Schumacher of having something against the Schumacher name. That would have been the reason why Mick Schumacher did not receive a contract offer for a seat at AlphaTauri. Red Bull Racing's 80-year-old consultant has since responded to the comments made by Mick's uncle.
"I have no problem with the Schumacher name. Only what Ralf overlooks is that our programme at AlphaTauri is focused on juniors, and the top priority is performance," Marko said. In doing so, the Austrian seems to suggest that Schumacher simply failed to impress last year at Haas F1.
De Vries not yet impressing
In the end, the choice fell on Nyck de Vries, making him the second Dutchman in the Formula 1 and Red Bull Racing family. The 28-year-old driver has so far failed to convince. Reports have surfaced in recent weeks that De Vries needs to improve if he is to stay on as AlphaTauri's driver. Marko agrees that he had expected more from the still pointless driver.
German medium Motorsport-Magazin asked Marko how much time de Vries still has to prove himself. "The expectations placed on him have not come true so far. And, of course, we have also discussed that with him. Now there will be circuits, he knows. So let's see how he develops there, and then we will discuss it further and possibly make a decision."