Hamilton: Marko remarks 'unacceptable' | Perez: He apologised to me

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Lewis Hamilton has been highly critical of Red Bull's Helmut Marko following comments he made on his driver Sergio Perez's ethnicity, while the Mexican has downplayed the controversial remarks from Marko. Lewis Hamilton has been highly critical of Red Bull's Helmut Marko following comments he made on his driver Sergio Perez's ethnicity, while the Mexican has downplayed the controversial remarks from Marko. Lewis Hamilton has expressed his disappointment at Helmut Marko's "completely unacceptable" comments about Sergio Perez and said that the remarks underline why ongoing work to improve inclusivity in the sport is so important. Marko, Red Bull's motorsport advisor, issued an apology last Friday following comments in which he blamed Sergio Perez's inconsistent form this season on his ethnicity.Asked about Marko's comments ahead of the Singapore GP on Thursday, Hamilton told Sky Sports F1: "It's completely unacceptable what he said. "Whilst we say there is no room for any type of discrimination within this sport which there should be - no room for it - to have leaders and people in his position making comments like this is not good for us moving forwards."I think it just highlights, firstly, the work that still needs to be done. There are a lot of people in the background that really are trying to combat these sorts of things but it's hard to manoeuvre if there are people in the top that have those sort of mindsets, that just stop us from progressing. Not surprised, to be honest." Sergio Perez and Helmut Marko in discussion at the British GP in July Marko, who it is understood is employed by the wider Red Bull brand rather than the F1 racing team itself, issued his apology via Red Bull-owned Austrian channel ServusTV SportMarko said: "I would like to apologise for my offensive remark and want to make it absolutely clear that I do not believe that we can generalise about the people from any country, any race, any ethnicity."I was trying to make a point that Checo has fluctuated in his performance this year, but it was wrong to attribute this to his cultural heritage."Asked about the wider response to the matter, Hamilton replied: "I don't know what was said beyond, that's something to ask Checo, but I think this is not something that you just apologise [for] and it's all ok. I think there needs to be more done. "Teams, when they've had individuals, particularly drivers, make comments but [also] some individuals in the background - they usually are removed or at least they put out a quote and say they don't support that sort of thing. So it is interesting that they haven't done so for this one, but it's not my team and it's not how we move as a team."It just shows how important it is that we continue to do the work. The work that I'm trying to do with my team and with the sport. We still have a lot of work to do moving forward to make sure that this is a more inclusive environment."Red Bull Racing have told Sky Sports News they do not condone Marko's comments and that as a team they are emphatic that there is no place for racism or xenophobia in racing or society as a whole.Perez says Marko apologised to himSpeaking about the matter for the first time on Thursday, Perez said he had received a direct apology from Marko. He said there was "no issue" going forward with the Austrian."I got an apology from him, a direct apology, which to me was the most important one," he said."I know him, and I know that he doesn't mean it that way as well. That to me is what matters. When you have a personal relationship with someone, it's a feeling that you've got to have and to me that's the most important one."The most important [thing] is that we focus on this weekend and the performance on track. Obviously the personal apology to me was more important than anything else." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Max Verstappen admits Red Bull chief Helmut Marko made a mistake for his controversial comments on Sergio Perez's ethnicity and that he's apologised for the language he used. Max Verstappen admits Red Bull chief Helmut Marko made a mistake for his controversial comments on Sergio Perez's ethnicity and that he's apologised for the language he used. More to follow...Sky Sports F1's live Singapore GP scheduleFriday September 1510am: Singapore GP Practice One (session starts at 10.30am)1.45pm: Singapore GP Practice Two (session starts at 2pm)3.30pm: The F1 ShowSaturday September 16 10.15am: Singapore GP Practice Three (session starts at 10.30am)1pm: Singapore GP Qualifying build-up2pm: Singapore GP Qualifying3.45pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook Sunday September 1711.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Singapore GP build-up1pm: THE SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX3pm: Chequered Flag: Singapore GP reaction4pm: Ted's NotebookNext up for the F1 circus ar