Brundle emplores Marko to 'focus on own drivers' after degrading Bortoleto

Before the Australian Grand Prix, Helmut Marko told ServusTV that Gabriel Bortoleto is a "B-tier driver." However, Sky Sports analyst and former driver Martin Brundle strongly disagrees with the opinion of the Red Bull Racing advisor.

Speaking about Sauber's Brazilian driver, Brundle said: "He seems very mature. He comes off the back of winning both Formula 3 and Formula 2. We know a lot of great drivers have done that like Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg for example. I think he will be a star in the future this young Brazilian and he showed it straight away [on his first race weekend]."

Brundle was then reminded of Marko's comments about the Brazilian talent. The former Formula 1 driver then clearly expressed his opinion on the Red Bull Racing adviser's statements: "I think Helmut Marko needs to worry more about commenting on his own drivers than other people's (drivers)."

In addition to Gabriel Bortoleto, Helmut Marko also commented on Jack Doohan, labelling the Australian as a "C-tier driver." After the race, Marko also spoke about Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar. The young Frenchman was visibly emotional after crashing during the wet warm-up lap for the Australian Grand Prix. The Red Bull advisor described the debutant’s tears as “a bit painful.”

Gabriel Bortoleto and Jack Doohan both retired from the Australian Grand Prix in separate incidents but showed good pace throughout the weekend. This weekend, the F1 circus roll over to the Shanghai International Circuit in China, where they'll have an opportunity to get their first points on the board.