‘Oh Helmut’: Damon Hill Slams Helmut Marko’s ‘Awful’ Comments About Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton”

In a recent outburst, former Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill criticized Helmut Marko, the Austrian motorsport advisor to Red Bull Racing, for his “awful” comments regarding Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton. Marko’s remarks, which came during an interview, sparked widespread backlash, with Hill being one of the more vocal critics.

Marko’s comments centered around the idea that Norris, a rising star in Formula 1, lacked the mental fortitude to become a future World Champion. He also suggested that Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion, might be “past his prime” and was “no longer the driver he once was.” These statements drew immediate condemnation, especially from Hill, who found the remarks distasteful and unnecessary. Hill, who won the World Championship in 1996, labeled Marko’s comments as “awful” and pointed out the disrespect shown towards two of the sport’s leading figures.

From Hill’s perspective, Marko’s remarks about Norris were particularly troubling, given the young British driver’s talent and potential. Hill suggested that such negative commentary could harm the morale of younger drivers in the sport, potentially stifling their confidence and growth. Norris has already proven himself as one of the most promising talents on the grid, regularly delivering strong performances despite the limitations of his McLaren car. To suggest he lacks the mental toughness to succeed, Hill argued, was not only unfair but damaging to Norris’ reputation.

In Hill’s critique, he also took aim at Marko’s comments about Hamilton. Hill defended Hamilton, asserting that even if the Briton was not performing at his peak level in every race, his legacy and achievements in the sport were undeniable. Hamilton remains a key figure in F1, and Hill felt that Marko’s suggestion that Hamilton was “washed up” failed to take into account the many factors influencing a driver’s performance, including team dynamics and car development.

In the broader context of Formula 1, Hill’s comments reflect a wider concern about the sometimes toxic nature of the sport’s commentary culture. While competitive banter and rivalry are part of F1’s allure, personal attacks or dismissive remarks about a driver’s abilities can cross the line, as Hill highlighted. For Hill, the comments from Marko were an example of this line being crossed, and he made it clear that such disparaging remarks had no place in the sport.