“Toto is just trying to create tension”- Helmut Marko not impressed with Mercedes mind games

“Toto is just trying to create tension”-  Helmut Marko is not impressed by the mind games played by Toto Wolff ahead of the 2021 start.

In his recent interview, Toto Wolff backed Red Bull to be the favourites of the season, considering they now boast an incredible pair of Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, additionally citing Red Bull’s thumping win against Mercedes in Abu Dhabi.

In return, Red Bull chief Helmut Marko is not impressed by Wolff’s words and claims that the Mercedes’ supreme is trying to create tensions for his own team’s benefit.

“At the moment, there is less than a meter, so Toto is just trying to create tension and friction with his words. We hope to be at the forefront, but Mercedes is the clear favourite. They have won all titles since the start of the hybrid era in 2014,” Marko to F1-Insider.com.

Marko then attacked Aston Martin, who allegedly had a similar car on track in 2020 as of Mercedes’ W10, and now Marko claims that it will be a repeat.

“I cannot imagine that Aston Martin will have a completely different rear than Mercedes,” said Marko. “The past has taught us that their cars will be very similar.”

Portuguese Grand Prix may happen.

Apart from personal banter, Marko also corrects Wolff’s information on the Portuguese Grand Prix, who had doubts over the race in Algrave along with the Brazilian Grand Prix.

However, Marko believes that Portugal- if all goes well- will be hosting the race instead of Vietnam this year. “Contrary to other reports, I have received information that the Portuguese Grand Prix can continue as usual.”

Last year, the Portuguese track impressed several race drivers, which has now bolstered its contention for 2021, as Nurburgring also seeks a re-entry after a spectacular 2020 event.

Thus, it is only a few days before we get to know who will be taking the baton for the first week of May.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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