Former Red Bull protege lashes out at Verstappen and Marko

Former Red Bull protege Jaime Alguersauri has lashed out at both Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko, for different reasons.

Back in 2009, Alguersauri became the youngest-ever F1 driver when he made his debut for Toro Rosso at the Hungarian GP aged 19 years and 125 days, and remains the fifth-youngest driver to race, with Verstappen now holding that record. 

The Spanish driver fell off the grid after the 2011 campaign and is now a DJ in Barcelona, but he has hit out at Verstappen and Red Bull motorsport advisor Marko. 

"I think it is important that there is always respect for everyone, because at the end of the day they are doing their best," Alguersuari told the After Lap podcast.

"In Verstappen's case, it's clear that he still has many things to improve. That is very clear. He thinks he is being bullied."

As for Marko, the veteran Austrian drew controversy in 2023 with his comments about the heritage of former Red Bull racer Sergio Perez.

Marko labelled the Mexican as "South American" and hinted that his fluctuations in form were down to where he was born, making a comparison between Perez and Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen, who are German and Dutch, respectively.

Marko apologised to Perez, but Alguersauri labelled the comment as "barbaric".

"Anyone who promotes Formula 1 should have respect for all people," he said.

"It is unacceptable what Marko said, it was barbaric what he said about Latin American drivers. That is really unacceptable and it should be banned, it should be frowned upon. 

"I really think it should be punished and censured, it leaves a dent in the image of Formula 1. If we compare the image to golf, for example, there is always respect there."

The FIA handed Marko a written warning following the comment, reminding him of the responsibilities he holds as a public figure in line with the FIA's Code of Ethics.