Italian motorsport web site 422race.com recently spoke to Dr Helmut Marko about the termination of the contracts of Sebastian Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari.
Dr Marko stunned the racing community when he mentioned during an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport that in his opinion Buemi and Alguersuari were not winners.
The Red Bull motorsport adviser confirmed these comments to 442race.com: “They didn't reach a winning driver calibre, yes."
Marko explained why Buemi has been chosen to be Red Bull Racing's test and reserve driver. “In the case something happens (to Vettel or Webber). He's experienced and he can do a good work on the simulator. A third driver is not a race driver. He's part of the Red Bull family, he knows everything and we know him. We chose Buemi over Alguersuari because he has more experience of the simulator."
Dr Marko had a big argument with Alguersuari for holding Sebastien Vettel up during the Korean Grand Prix practice. Did this incident played a role in the decision to not keep him?
“No, not at all. We had an evaluation of the possibilities and we took what we thought was the best available for us. The simulator work is an important tool for us,” said Marko, before adding that he has no bad feelings about the Spaniard.
"No, why should I? I was the one that brought him in. And after three years you can see what sort of potential is there,” replied Marko.
422race.com asked don't you think it was a little too soon to dump such a young driver?
"It was three years! And in the case of Alguersuari two and a half."
But some Grand Prix drivers, such as Nigel Mansell, took five years to score their first win.
"Yes, but that was 30 years years ago,” Marko replied. “You can't make comparisons. Toro Rosso is a rookie team, so its function is to look for young drivers and look after their development. I think three years is enough, if you think five years, it's your opinion. But that's not the case, and we are talking a lot of money.”
Dr Marko stunned the racing community when he mentioned during an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport that in his opinion Buemi and Alguersuari were not winners.
The Red Bull motorsport adviser confirmed these comments to 442race.com: “They didn't reach a winning driver calibre, yes."
Marko explained why Buemi has been chosen to be Red Bull Racing's test and reserve driver. “In the case something happens (to Vettel or Webber). He's experienced and he can do a good work on the simulator. A third driver is not a race driver. He's part of the Red Bull family, he knows everything and we know him. We chose Buemi over Alguersuari because he has more experience of the simulator."
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| Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi. (Photo: WRi2) |
Dr Marko had a big argument with Alguersuari for holding Sebastien Vettel up during the Korean Grand Prix practice. Did this incident played a role in the decision to not keep him?
“No, not at all. We had an evaluation of the possibilities and we took what we thought was the best available for us. The simulator work is an important tool for us,” said Marko, before adding that he has no bad feelings about the Spaniard.
"No, why should I? I was the one that brought him in. And after three years you can see what sort of potential is there,” replied Marko.
422race.com asked don't you think it was a little too soon to dump such a young driver?
"It was three years! And in the case of Alguersuari two and a half."
But some Grand Prix drivers, such as Nigel Mansell, took five years to score their first win.
"Yes, but that was 30 years years ago,” Marko replied. “You can't make comparisons. Toro Rosso is a rookie team, so its function is to look for young drivers and look after their development. I think three years is enough, if you think five years, it's your opinion. But that's not the case, and we are talking a lot of money.”