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Dr Helmut Marko has admitted he considered ousting struggling Toro Rosso driver Brendon Hartley. In past weeks, rumours abounded that the Red Bull consultant was shopping around for an alternative - perhaps Lando Norris or Robert Kubica - to New Zealand rookie Hartley.
Marko doesn't deny it. "If the trajectory had not improved, then we would have had to look somewhere for an alternative," he told Germany's motorsport-magazin.com. "But that's not the case and Brendon is now competitive."
It is believed Marko is referring specifically to Hartley's performance in Canada, where he clearly improved and put Pierre Gasly under pressure.
It then ended with the first lap crash. "Mr (Lance) Stroll was involved," Marko explained. "Pierre's eleventh place was encouraging, with Brendon perhaps looking a bit better."
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Replies (4)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Why dump him now when not even half of the season has gone by? Give the dude an honest chance. Its not like he has been that horrible.
mpm001
Posts: 20
Red Bull are brutal, they don't give anyone any decent time. They expect results immediately, this is their culture.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
I assume, they didn't find a better replacement than Hartley. Its not the performance of Brendon that saved the day, irrespective of what Mr.Hell would like us to believe.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
The way RB goes through drivers we might as well just consider them a Ferrari driver training program. When was the last time RB won a championship? Based upon that performance, and his own intolerance for shortcomings, HM should be sent packing!