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Helmut Marko


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#51 BRG

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Posted 04 December 2021 - 15:05

Whereas Montoya had a warm and loving relationship with Dr Marko?  Must be their common language and culture.



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#52 sstiel

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Posted 04 December 2021 - 17:38

1972 interview, before the incident in France.

Marko has said he had a preliminary contract with Ferrari.



#53 Jon Saltinstall

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Posted 14 December 2021 - 13:51

In the late 1960s, certainly in the Austrian National racing scene and especially in F/Vee, Marko was seen as the "next big thing", at least until Lauda secured his works drive at Kaimann in late 1968. His on-track duels with Niki during the 1969 season (and there were several of them) had an edge as Marko (5 years older) was salaried by McNamara while Lauda was unpaid at Kaimann. Their scrap in the German GP support race at the Nürburging in 1969, when both knew that the Formula 1 team bosses were watching, was particularly ferocious. Niki certainly rated and respected Marko as a competitor and they seemed to get on OK off track - except maybe on the 1969 Nürburging podium, after Helmut had put Niki on the grass on the last lap. Let's also remember that Marko was the first of the pair to register a major international win with his Le Mans victory in 1971, sharing with Gijs van Lennep. 

 

At the Argentine GP in 1972 they also had a pretty serious scrap; having a private joust for last place. The two Austrians fought as if the title depended on the outcome, Marko throwing his BRM all over the place in an attempt to stay ahead of the March (at one point mistaking Peterson for Lauda at the hairpin when being lapped, forcing the Swede into a spin). Towards the end, Marko’s brakes were shot but he just held off Lauda at the flag by mere inches. Fate dictated that we never saw how their rivalry would unfold but it's fair to say that Marko was a much better driver than his F1 record might suggest, as is the case with so many others.

 

The story of Marko accompanying Niki to Maranello in late 1973 to help him negotiate his Ferrari contract was corroborated by several sources when I researched the Lauda book.


Edited by Jon Saltinstall, 14 December 2021 - 13:53.


#54 d j fox

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Posted 14 December 2021 - 16:55

Whereas Montoya had a warm and loving relationship with Dr Marko?  Must be their common language and culture.

Ha!...I can't imagine anybody having and warm and fuzzy relationship with the good Her Doktor...ask any or all the RB No 2 drivers......