Sergio Perez has revealed Helmut Marko apologised to him personally after holding private talks regarding the Red Bull advisor’s recent controversial remarks. Marko came under huge pressure earlier this month for making a xenophobic slur against Perez.

The Red Bull chief has not been shy of criticising the Mexican driver this year, but overstepped the mark after the Italian Grand Prix. Speaking to Red Bull owned broadcaster ServusTV, Marko indicated that Perez was not on the same level as Max Verstappen due to him being “South American”.

While being clearly offensive, the statement wasn’t even factually correct with Perez hailing from Mexico – a country in North America. Marko later issued an apology for his “offensive remark” and Perez has now revealed the two also held a private chat recently as well.

The Red Bull driver admitted all he wanted from Marko was an apology to his face, which he has now received. And Perez now wants the conversation to move on from Marko’s slur, insisting the Red Bull advisor meant to harm by his original remark.

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“I had a one-on-one conversation with him,” Perez said. “He apologised. That was the most important thing for me.

“Now let’s put that behind us. I have a personal relationship with him and knowing him helps a lot because I know for a fact that he didn’t mean it that way.”