Red Bull Racing has arguably the most famous Formula 1 driver development programme of this century. Today, it is in the news for all the wrong reasons: the pipeline to find a teammate for Max Verstappen has run dry.
Formula 1 development programme, F1 racing driver academy, Junior Team — call it what you want. Red Bull Racing’s money has gone a long way in making many racing drivers’ careers, with motorsport veteran Helmut Marko in charge of the driver programme while Christian Horner focuses on the rest of the team.
Check out the WEC and other major racing series for a long list of ex-Red Bull drivers making a decent living. Of course, few of them made it into either of Red Bull's Formula 1 teams. The list is impressive, but telling.
Before we dive deeper, it should be noted that, technically, Max Verstappen is not a product of the Red Bull driver programme. The deal came about only after a snub by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff — and Marko’s swift and enthusiastic welcoming of the Dutch kid into the Bull pen. That he developed within the team to what he is today cannot be disputed.
Verstappen signed for Red Bull Racing at 16, made his F1 debut at 17, won his first race at 18, and is now a four-time F1 World Champion and the team's unchallenged leader.
Unchallenged because the Red Bull Junior Team has failed to produce drivers anywhere close to Verstappen's level. So much so that they had to shop outside their programme to sign Sergio Perez in 2021. When the veteran proved unable to deliver, they fired him at the end of last year.
High risk, high reward but does Red Bull have the best young driver programme?
They then banked it all on Liam Lawson to add firepower to the second car that has been AWOL for too long. But the Kiwi failed badly, got demoted, while Yuki Tsunoda finally got the nod to move 'upstairs' — and that 'experiment' also seems destined to bomb. Watch this space!
Red Bull’s junior programme burst onto the scene in the early 2000s with ambition and a cheque book. Enrique Bernoldi and Tomas Enge were among the first experiments – talented, but ultimately lost to sports cars and scandal. Christian Klien hung on longer but symbolised Red Bull Racing’s early scattergun approach.
The mid-2000s saw a massive expansion with Toro Rosso’s creation. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Scott Speed, Neel Jani and others were churned through the machine. Few made it big; most vanished into GT racing or the DTM wilderness. Only Sebastian Vettel’s emergence in 2008 salvaged this chaotic first wave. Without Vettel’s four world titles, the programme would’ve looked like a flashy bust.
Post-Vettel, Red Bull doubled down. Drivers like Daniel Ricciardo, Jean-Éric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat rose through the ranks, but again, most were ruthlessly discarded. Carlos Sainz Jr. fought his way out of the system to flourish at Ferrari, while others like António Félix da Costa were dumped without a real chance. The harsh "sink or swim" culture had its casualties.
The Verstappen era from 2016 changed everything
Max was the superstar Red Bull had always wanted—plucked early, fast-tracked, and delivered multiple titles. Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and others got a shot at his side, but none could survive Red Bull’s brutal expectations.
Since 2020, the pipeline has been solid but unspectacular. Yuki Tsunoda clings on; Liam Lawson remains a reserve; Dennis Hauger and Isack Hadjar are the brightest hopes. But for every promising name, there’s a cautionary tale like Dan Ticktum or Jüri Vips. Talent isn’t enough—you must survive the political minefield and Red Bull's ruthlessly short patience.
Verdict: A necessary evil, but not the gold standard. Red Bull’s junior system has created one true megastar (Vettel) and one generational giant (Verstappen, although they had no meaningful hand in his career before F1). It’s launched solid F1 careers—Ricciardo, Sainz, Gasly—but at immense human cost. For every success, there are at least five juniors cast aside, often brutally.
Compared to Ferrari or Mercedes' more selective academies, Red Bull’s model is a meat grinder. High volume, high turnover, occasional brilliance—but little genuine nurturing. It gets results, but not without wasting a lot of good people along the way.
Early 2000s: First Wave of Red Bull Support
![2006 Williams FW28, Nico Rosberg; 2006 Red Bull RB2, Christian Klein; 2006 Ferrari 248 F1, Felipe Massa. Australian Grand Prix [3681x2000] : r/F1Porn](https://r.testifier.nl/Acbs8526SDKI/resizing_type:fit/width:1280/plain/https://s3-newsifier.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/grandprix247.com/images/2025-11/ucgp83k31jlx.jpg@webp)
Enrique Bernoldi
Brazilian driver supported by Red Bull in Formula 3000 and promoted into F1 with Arrows in 2001. Bernoldi stayed in F1 until Arrows folded in 2002. Later moved into sports cars. As of 2025, he works as a racing instructor.
Brazilian driver supported by Red Bull in Formula 3000 and promoted into F1 with Arrows in 2001. Bernoldi stayed in F1 until Arrows folded in 2002. Later moved into sports cars. As of 2025, he works as a racing instructor.
Tomas Enge
Czech driver backed by Red Bull in F3000. Made three F1 starts for Prost in 2001. Career disrupted by a failed drug test. Later raced successfully in sports cars.
Czech driver backed by Red Bull in F3000. Made three F1 starts for Prost in 2001. Career disrupted by a failed drug test. Later raced successfully in sports cars.
Christian Klien
Austrian talent heavily backed by Red Bull from junior formulae. Debuted in F1 with Jaguar in 2004, stayed on as Red Bull Racing formed. Left F1 after 2006 and moved into sports cars.
Austrian talent heavily backed by Red Bull from junior formulae. Debuted in F1 with Jaguar in 2004, stayed on as Red Bull Racing formed. Left F1 after 2006 and moved into sports cars.
Patrick Friesacher
Austrian Red Bull junior who raced in F3000. Made it to F1 with Minardi in 2005 after Red Bull dropped him. Lost his seat mid-season due to funding issues. Later worked as a demo driver.
Austrian Red Bull junior who raced in F3000. Made it to F1 with Minardi in 2005 after Red Bull dropped him. Lost his seat mid-season due to funding issues. Later worked as a demo driver.
Mid-2000s: Launch of Toro Rosso and Growth
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Italian F3000 champion with Red Bull support. Raced for Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso from 2005 to 2007. Later drove for Force India and HRT. Now active in race stewarding.
Italian F3000 champion with Red Bull support. Raced for Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso from 2005 to 2007. Later drove for Force India and HRT. Now active in race stewarding.
Scott Speed
First American F1 driver in a decade, pushed into F1 by Red Bull’s Driver Search. Raced for Toro Rosso 2006–2007. After leaving F1, switched to NASCAR and later Rallycross.
First American F1 driver in a decade, pushed into F1 by Red Bull’s Driver Search. Raced for Toro Rosso 2006–2007. After leaving F1, switched to NASCAR and later Rallycross.
Neel Jani
Swiss driver who tested for Toro Rosso but didn’t race in F1. Later became a World Endurance Champion and Le Mans winner with Porsche.
Swiss driver who tested for Toro Rosso but didn’t race in F1. Later became a World Endurance Champion and Le Mans winner with Porsche.
Enrique "Jim" Ka To
Hong Kong racer briefly supported by Red Bull. Did not progress beyond junior series.
Hong Kong racer briefly supported by Red Bull. Did not progress beyond junior series.
Filipe Albuquerque
Portuguese driver backed mid-2000s. Did not reach F1 but became a successful sports car racer.
Portuguese driver backed mid-2000s. Did not reach F1 but became a successful sports car racer.
Michael Ammermüller
German backed by Red Bull, tested for Toro Rosso, but injuries hampered him. Later found success in Porsche Supercup.
German backed by Red Bull, tested for Toro Rosso, but injuries hampered him. Later found success in Porsche Supercup.
Colin Fleming
American Red Bull junior who raced in Europe but did not reach F1.
American Red Bull junior who raced in Europe but did not reach F1.
Adrian Zaugg
South African junior who tested for Toro Rosso but never got an F1 drive.
South African junior who tested for Toro Rosso but never got an F1 drive.
Stefano Coletti
Monegasque driver in Red Bull colours for junior series. Never reached F1, later raced in GP2 and IndyCar.
Monegasque driver in Red Bull colours for junior series. Never reached F1, later raced in GP2 and IndyCar.
Mikhail Aleshin
Russian backed by Red Bull but later made his own way into IndyCar and endurance racing.
Russian backed by Red Bull but later made his own way into IndyCar and endurance racing.
Oliver Oakes
British karting star signed by Red Bull but released before reaching major single-seaters. Later moved into team management.
British karting star signed by Red Bull but released before reaching major single-seaters. Later moved into team management.
Nathan Antunes
Australian Red Bull junior who did not reach F1, moved into GT racing.
Australian Red Bull junior who did not reach F1, moved into GT racing.
Yoshitaka Kuroda
Japanese driver briefly supported by Red Bull. Did not progress far internationally.
Japanese driver briefly supported by Red Bull. Did not progress far internationally.
Niall Quinn
Irish driver backed briefly. Did not break through to F1.
Irish driver backed briefly. Did not break through to F1.
Edoardo Piscopo
Italian driver who raced under Red Bull support but did not progress to F1.
Italian driver who raced under Red Bull support but did not progress to F1.
Sergey Afanasiev
Russian Red Bull junior for a short time. Did not reach F1.
Russian Red Bull junior for a short time. Did not reach F1.
Late 2000s : Vettel Breakthrough and Next Wave
Sebastian Vettel
Germany’s biggest Red Bull success. Won the 2004 German Formula BMW, debuted in F1 with BMW-Sauber, then Toro Rosso, before dominating with Red Bull Racing and winning four F1 titles. Retired in 2022.
Germany’s biggest Red Bull success. Won the 2004 German Formula BMW, debuted in F1 with BMW-Sauber, then Toro Rosso, before dominating with Red Bull Racing and winning four F1 titles. Retired in 2022.
Sébastien Buemi
Swiss driver who raced for Toro Rosso 2009–2011. Later became a World Endurance Champion and remains a Red Bull reserve driver.
Swiss driver who raced for Toro Rosso 2009–2011. Later became a World Endurance Champion and remains a Red Bull reserve driver.
Jaime Alguersuari
Spanish driver who debuted with Toro Rosso in 2009 aged 19. Dropped after 2011. Later became a DJ and occasional racer.
Spanish driver who debuted with Toro Rosso in 2009 aged 19. Dropped after 2011. Later became a DJ and occasional racer.
Robert Wickens
Canadian Red Bull junior. Never raced in F1 but later excelled in DTM and IndyCar before a serious injury.
Canadian Red Bull junior. Never raced in F1 but later excelled in DTM and IndyCar before a serious injury.
Karun Chandhok
Indian driver who benefited from Red Bull support early. Later raced briefly in F1 with HRT and Lotus.
Indian driver who benefited from Red Bull support early. Later raced briefly in F1 with HRT and Lotus.
Brendon Hartley
New Zealand driver dropped by Red Bull in 2010, but eventually made an F1 comeback with Toro Rosso in 2017–2018. Now an endurance racing champion.
New Zealand driver dropped by Red Bull in 2010, but eventually made an F1 comeback with Toro Rosso in 2017–2018. Now an endurance racing champion.
Mika Mäki
Finnish junior with early promise. Dropped by Red Bull and faded from international racing.
Finnish junior with early promise. Dropped by Red Bull and faded from international racing.
Mirko Bortolotti
Italian Red Bull junior briefly. Later became a Lamborghini factory driver in GT racing.
Italian Red Bull junior briefly. Later became a Lamborghini factory driver in GT racing.
Daniel Juncadella
Spanish driver dropped before reaching F1. Built a career in DTM and GT racing.
Spanish driver dropped before reaching F1. Built a career in DTM and GT racing.
Tom Dillmann
French driver supported by Red Bull but later moved to Formula E and sports cars.
French driver supported by Red Bull but later moved to Formula E and sports cars.
Jean-Karl Vernay
French junior in Red Bull colours, moved to Indy Lights and TCR series after losing Red Bull support.
French junior in Red Bull colours, moved to Indy Lights and TCR series after losing Red Bull support.
Early 2010s: Ricciardo, Vergne and Kvyat Graduates
Daniel Ricciardo
Australian star who moved through Red Bull’s junior system. Debuted with HRT, then raced for Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing. Later drove for Renault, McLaren, and returned to Red Bull’s orbit with Racing Bulls.
Australian star who moved through Red Bull’s junior system. Debuted with HRT, then raced for Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing. Later drove for Renault, McLaren, and returned to Red Bull’s orbit with Racing Bulls.
Jean-Éric Vergne
French driver who raced for Toro Rosso from 2012–2014. Dropped after missing Red Bull promotion. Found great success in Formula E.
French driver who raced for Toro Rosso from 2012–2014. Dropped after missing Red Bull promotion. Found great success in Formula E.
Daniil Kvyat
Russian backed from 2010. Raced for Toro Rosso and Red Bull. Demoted back to Toro Rosso, then dropped. Later raced in endurance events.
Russian backed from 2010. Raced for Toro Rosso and Red Bull. Demoted back to Toro Rosso, then dropped. Later raced in endurance events.
Carlos Sainz Jr.
Spanish driver who debuted for Toro Rosso in 2015. Left Red Bull system for Renault, then McLaren, and now Ferrari, becoming a multiple Grand Prix winner.
Spanish driver who debuted for Toro Rosso in 2015. Left Red Bull system for Renault, then McLaren, and now Ferrari, becoming a multiple Grand Prix winner.
Antonio Félix da Costa
Portuguese driver seen as a future F1 star but overlooked for a Toro Rosso seat. Became a Formula E champion.
Portuguese driver seen as a future F1 star but overlooked for a Toro Rosso seat. Became a Formula E champion.
Lewis Williamson
British driver briefly backed by Red Bull. Did not reach F1, moved into GT racing.
British driver briefly backed by Red Bull. Did not reach F1, moved into GT racing.
Alex Albon
Dropped by Red Bull early, fought back to F1 independently, and returned to Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing. Now races for Williams.
Dropped by Red Bull early, fought back to F1 independently, and returned to Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing. Now races for Williams.
Beitske Visser
Dutch female junior backed by Red Bull. Later successful in W Series and sports cars.
Dutch female junior backed by Red Bull. Later successful in W Series and sports cars.
Tom Blomqvist
British-Swedish driver backed by Red Bull briefly. Later became a DTM and IMSA champion.
British-Swedish driver backed by Red Bull briefly. Later became a DTM and IMSA champion.
Callum Ilott
British driver supported by Red Bull in 2015. Later moved to Ferrari’s academy and then IndyCar.
British driver supported by Red Bull in 2015. Later moved to Ferrari’s academy and then IndyCar.
Dean Stoneman
British driver supported post-cancer recovery. Did not reach F1, moved to GT and powerboat racing.
British driver supported post-cancer recovery. Did not reach F1, moved to GT and powerboat racing.
Alex Lynn
British GP3 champion signed by Red Bull, later raced in Formula E and sports cars.
British GP3 champion signed by Red Bull, later raced in Formula E and sports cars.
Mid-to-Late 2010s: Verstappen Era and Rapid Promotions
Pierre Gasly
French driver who rose through Red Bull’s ranks. Briefly raced for Red Bull Racing, later won with AlphaTauri, and now drives for Alpine.
French driver who rose through Red Bull’s ranks. Briefly raced for Red Bull Racing, later won with AlphaTauri, and now drives for Alpine.
Brendon Hartley
(Previously listed; returned to F1 briefly with Toro Rosso.)
(Previously listed; returned to F1 briefly with Toro Rosso.)
Alexander Albon
(Previously listed; promoted to Red Bull Racing, later found success at Williams.)
(Previously listed; promoted to Red Bull Racing, later found success at Williams.)
Niko Kari
Finnish driver briefly supported. Dropped and moved to national-level racing.
Finnish driver briefly supported. Dropped and moved to national-level racing.
Richard Verschoor
Dutch junior who lost Red Bull backing early. Still racing in F2.
Dutch junior who lost Red Bull backing early. Still racing in F2.
Luis Leeds
Australian driver backed for a short time. Now racing in Australian GT competitions.
Australian driver backed for a short time. Now racing in Australian GT competitions.
Sérgio Sette Câmara
Brazilian Red Bull junior in 2016. Later raced in Formula E.
Brazilian Red Bull junior in 2016. Later raced in Formula E.
Neil Verhagen
American Red Bull junior who moved to sports cars after junior formula setbacks.
American Red Bull junior who moved to sports cars after junior formula setbacks.
Dan Ticktum
Controversial British driver twice signed by Red Bull. Dropped after poor conduct. Now races in Formula E.
Controversial British driver twice signed by Red Bull. Dropped after poor conduct. Now races in Formula E.
Harry Thompson
British karting star backed briefly but didn’t transition to cars.
British karting star backed briefly but didn’t transition to cars.
Lucas Auer
Austrian DTM star briefly connected to Red Bull for an F1 transition. Never raced in F1.
Austrian DTM star briefly connected to Red Bull for an F1 transition. Never raced in F1.
Patricio O’Ward
Mexican driver backed in 2019. Returned to IndyCar, where he is now a top driver.
Mexican driver backed in 2019. Returned to IndyCar, where he is now a top driver.
Jack Doohan
Australian Red Bull junior until 2021. Later joined Alpine’s academy and became an F1 reserve.
Australian Red Bull junior until 2021. Later joined Alpine’s academy and became an F1 reserve.
2020–2025: Current and Recent Red Bull Juniors
Yuki Tsunoda
Japanese driver backed jointly by Honda and Red Bull. Debuted for AlphaTauri in 2021. Still racing in F1 in 2025.
Japanese driver backed jointly by Honda and Red Bull. Debuted for AlphaTauri in 2021. Still racing in F1 in 2025.
Liam Lawson
New Zealander reserve driver for Red Bull and Racing Bulls. Substituted in F1 races in 2023. Racing in Super Formula in 2025.
New Zealander reserve driver for Red Bull and Racing Bulls. Substituted in F1 races in 2023. Racing in Super Formula in 2025.
Jüri Vips
Estonian dropped by Red Bull after a controversy. Racing in Super Formula.
Estonian dropped by Red Bull after a controversy. Racing in Super Formula.
Jehan Daruvala
Indian junior who raced in F2 and tested F1 cars. Moved to Formula E.
Indian junior who raced in F2 and tested F1 cars. Moved to Formula E.
Dennis Hauger
Norwegian driver and 2021 F3 champion. Still part of Red Bull’s junior roster in F2.
Norwegian driver and 2021 F3 champion. Still part of Red Bull’s junior roster in F2.
Jonny Edgar
British junior who battled health issues. Racing in Formula 3.
British junior who battled health issues. Racing in Formula 3.
Isack Hadjar
French driver regarded as a top future prospect. Racing in F2.
French driver regarded as a top future prospect. Racing in F2.
Jak Crawford
American junior racing in F2, pushing toward F1 promotion.
American junior racing in F2, pushing toward F1 promotion.
Ayumu Iwasa
Japanese driver close to an F1 breakthrough. Racing in F2.
Japanese driver close to an F1 breakthrough. Racing in F2.
Enzo Fittipaldi
Brazilian-American driver and F2 podium finisher. Red Bull junior since 2022.
Brazilian-American driver and F2 podium finisher. Red Bull junior since 2022.
Zane Maloney
Barbadian driver backed by Red Bull. Racing in F2.
Barbadian driver backed by Red Bull. Racing in F2.
Arvid Lindblad
Young British-Swedish driver still in F3, viewed as a long-term Red Bull prospect.
Young British-Swedish driver still in F3, viewed as a long-term Red Bull prospect.
Yuto Nomura
Japanese junior early in his car racing development.
Japanese junior early in his car racing development.
Noel León
Mexican driver racing in Formula Regional Europe.
Mexican driver racing in Formula Regional Europe.
Souta Arao
Young Japanese driver climbing junior formulas.
Young Japanese driver climbing junior formulas.
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