🏎️ Red Bull suspending advisor Helmut Marko for racial comments towards Sergio Perez

In this week’s email:

• F1 viewership in USA declined by 650k for 2023 season 📉

• Red Bull suspends & investigating Helmut Marko’s racial comments towards Sergio Perez 🧐

• Point gaps between teammates in 2023 📊

• Daniel Ricciardo injury update 🤕

• Average 2023 starting pole position 🏎️

F1 viewership on the decline in the United States during 2023 season

Over the last few years F1 viewership has increased in the United States due to marketing efforts like Drive to Survive on Netflix.

With Max Verstappen’s dominance this year though, there has been a 650k drop in viewership numbers. Read More.

There has been 11 races so far this season and Red Bull has won every race so far this season causing viewers to wonder if any team can compete with Red Bull.

Even with this news in viewership decline, Liberty Media invested $240M for the Las Vegas Grand Prix to happen this year. It will be interesting to see later this year if the Las Vegas GP can help increase US viewership.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko apologizes for offensive comments towards Sergio Perez ethnicity

Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko apologized for his recent racial comments spoken out about Sergio Perez on TV.

The 80-year-old appeared on ServusTV which is a Red Bull owned station a day after the Italian Grand Prix where Sergio Perez finished in second place.

Marko stated on ServusTV, “We know that he has problems in qualifying, he has fluctuations in form, he is South American and he is just not as completely focused in his head as Max (Verstappen) is or as Sebastian (Vettel).”

Due to recent comments, Red Bull has suspended Marko from all team duties with immediate effect and do a full investigation into the incident aimed at Sergio Perez.

Point gaps between teammates in 2023 📊

• Verstappen-Perez (Red Bull): 145 Points

• Alonso-Stroll (Aston Martin): 123 points

• Hamilton-Russell(Mercedes): 55 points

• Norris-Piastri (McLaren): 43 points

• Albon-Sargeant (Williams): 21 points

• Hülkenberg-Magnussen (Haas): 7 points

• Sainz-Leclerc (Ferrari): 6 points

• Tsunoda-Lawson (AlphaTauri): 3 points

• Bottas-Zhou (AlfaRomeo): 2 points

• Gasly-Ocon (Alphine): 1 point

Daniel Ricciardo Injury Update 🤕

During the Dutch Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo ended up breaking his hand during a practice race and underwent surgery shortly after the crash.

People with Ricciardo’s hand injury usually take three to eight weeks to fully recover. Red Bull principal Christian Horner stated that the next two races in Singapore (September 15-17) and Japan (September 22-24) they will see Ricciardo sidelined and stick with Liam Lawson as their driver.

There is a chance though that Ricciardo will return behind the wheel for the Japanese Grand Prix. Horner stated, “It would be optimistic for Japan, but his recovery is going well. He’s got mobility of the hand and is into rehabilitation now”.

Average 2023 starting pole positions:

1. Verstappen (Red Bull) - 3.1

2. Sainz (Ferrari) - 4.8

3. Alonso (Aston Martin) - 5.6

4. Hamilton (Mercedes) - 6

5. Leclerc (Ferrari) - 6.4

6. Russell (Mercedes) - 7.3

7. Norris (McLaren) - 8.1

8. Perez (Red Bull) - 8.8

9. Piastri (McLaren) - 10

10. Ocon (Alpine) - 10.9

11. Stroll (Aston Martin) - 11

12. Albon (Williams) - 11.6