Oct.4 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says it will be “incomprehensible” if Audi actually does elect to easily preserve Valtteri Bottas on board for 2025.
Purple Bull’s well-known F1 advisor is a constant champion of younger drivers, efficiently campaigning to oust Daniel Ricciardo in favour of 22-year-old rookie Liam Lawson at RB.
“Oliver Bearman and particularly Franco Colapinto have proven this 12 months that kids are prepared for the step up and that the previous philosophy of some crew bosses which you could solely promote drivers to a prime crew with three or 4 years of expertise is outdated,” Marko informed Velocity Week.
“There’s a sure threat, however it’s manageable and it’s price it.”
Colapinto, 21, and the even youthful F2 collection chief Gabriel Bortoleto, have each been linked with the final emptiness on the 2025 grid – the Audi-owned Sauber seat alongside Nico Hulkenberg.
However Marko thinks Mick Schumacher “completely deserves” a second probability at System 1 after his ill-fated two years at Haas.
“He was not handled pretty by Netflix celebrity Gunther Steiner,” the 81-year-old insists. “However behind the scenes, you solely hear good issues about him.”
Nevertheless, it does seem that Audi goes for the safer choice of preserving the skilled and 34-year-old Bottas within the automobile, a minimum of for 2025.
Marko, 81, can solely shake his head.
“Schumacher would have been an nearly risk-free alternative,” he informed the German broadcasters RTL and ntv. “If his efficiency isn’t proper, you possibly can at all times make a substitution for 2026.
“However the Audi automobile will definitely not be a successful automobile subsequent 12 months,” Marko added. “Which means there would have been no strain on both Audi or the motive force.”
A number of authoritative sources claimed at the newest grand prix in Singapore that Bottas seems to have clinched a minimum of a brand new one-year Sauber deal.
“I don’t know precisely,” Marko responded, “but when the scenario actually is that Bottas will get the possibility, then the entire thing is much more incomprehensible to me.”
The Austrian laments that if Schumacher, 25, doesn’t return to the System 1 grid in 2025, he’ll nearly actually by no means launch a comeback.
“I believe his System 1 profession can be over,” mentioned Marko. “In that case, he ought to think about the endurance races, the place he was already profitable, and try this.”
