Overview
- Marko told Austria’s OE24 that Red Bull had held talks with Nico Hülkenberg before Pérez’s Bahrain victory swung the decision in Pérez’s favor.
- He argued Hülkenberg is the stronger option at this stage, praising his reduced error rate and noting the German’s contract with Audi.
- Marko is described as an ex-adviser in 2026 and his remarks revive scrutiny of Red Bull’s driver calls during and after a difficult 2024 season.
- Pérez’s Red Bull tenure ended in 2024 after a poor run despite earlier wins and a runner-up championship finish, and Red Bull briefly trialed Liam Lawson before switching to Yuki Tsunoda.
- Pérez is preparing for 2026 with a reported Cadillac test at Silverstone, while Hülkenberg’s late-career uptick includes a 2025 British GP podium and his Audi deal.