The adviser for Red Bull Motorsport is a strong supporter of developing fresh talent for Formula One.
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has delivered a scathing assessment of the current state of F1’s driver market. Known for his knack for identifying and nurturing young talent, Marko has helped launch the careers of Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly, and Alex Albon, all products of the Red Bull junior program. Daniel Ricciardo, though starting at HRT, quickly rose through the ranks under Marko’s guidance.
After a few quieter years for the Red Bull program, new stars like Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad are making waves in F2 and F3. Meanwhile, Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson is eagerly awaiting his next opportunity after an impressive stint replacing Ricciardo last season. Marko remains eager to promote from within, citing Ferrari protégé Ollie Bearman’s upcoming full-time seat at Haas in 2025 as proof of what young drivers can achieve with the right opportunities.
“Oliver Bearman was in the right place at the right time and will move up to Formula 1 next year,” Marko wrote in his Speedweek column. “His race in the Ferrari in Saudi Arabia showed his F1 potential, but if you were to look solely at his Formula 2 results, things would appear much less promising. Nonetheless, it’s great to see young talent entering Formula 1; I’m fully supportive of that.”
Marko also criticized the current grid, suggesting some drivers are hindering the progress of emerging talents. “There are drivers who stagnate and perform inconsistently, blocking the path for younger drivers. Teams are often hesitant to take a chance on juniors. Yes, they make mistakes, but I’d rather see someone make mistakes with potential for the future than show no improvement at all.”
Evaluating Red Bull’s Junior Talent
The Red Bull junior program, having been forced to look outside its ranks to replace the underperforming Alex Albon with Sergio Perez in 2021, is once again brimming with talent. Hadjar and Lindblad are next in line behind Lawson, eager to prove their worth.
“During the summer break, we will analyze and evaluate the performance of the Red Bull juniors in more detail,” Marko continued. “Hadjar took the lead in the F2 standings with his victory in the feature race at Silverstone. He has faced several setbacks, including engine failures and being spun out through no fault of his own. Without these issues, he would be miles ahead in the championship.
“Lindblad has shone in Formula 3, stepping up directly from Formula 4 and winning both races as a rookie. At only 16 years old, it’s exciting that drivers can now compete in Formula 1 at 17. We are delighted with the progress of our juniors, who are now enjoying more priority and the opportunity to drive Formula 1 cars.
“Isack did well in his most recent test, showing strong performances despite not using soft tires. Both Isack and Arvid have exceptional speed and F1 potential. We must also remember Ayumu Iwasa, who is currently second in the Super Formula in Japan.”
With a renewed focus on nurturing young talent, Red Bull’s junior program appears poised to continue producing the next generation of F1 stars.
