Marko unapologetic about brutal Red Bull young driver programme
F1 NewsThursday, 21 August 2025 at 08:31
Helmut Marko defended Red Bull’s notoriously ruthless young driver programme, insisting the majority of those who do not make it in Formula 1 still benefit from the experience and continue their careers in top-line motorsport.
Red Bull, and its junior outfit that evolved from Toro Rosso to today’s Racing Bulls, has developed a reputation for giving young talents a chance in Formula 1 before quickly discarding those who fail to impress.
Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen are the programme’s biggest success stories, but numerous others have been dropped without hesitation. Marko, who has overseen the operation for decades, has become both the architect of careers and the destroyer of them.
Among his most recent decisions was demoting Liam Lawson back to Racing Bulls in 2025 after just two races with Red Bull, despite the New Zealander having been promoted to the senior team only months earlier.
Two years earlier, Nyck de Vries was dismissed after just 10 races in Formula 1. Both moves fuelled criticism of the Austrian’s uncompromising methods.
Marko: I remain convinced about the decisions taken
The 82-year-old rejected suggestions that his system is unfair. Speaking on the F1-Insider podcast, Marko said: “I remain convinced about the decisions taken. You have to bear in mind that more than 95% of the drivers who did not stay in our group still continue to race in Formula E, the WEC, the DTM, or elsewhere.”
He argued that the Red Bull system sets drivers up for professional success, even outside Formula 1. “They earn well, much more than they could probably earn in a civilian profession, and they do what they love.
"And all of this is possible mainly thanks to our involvement. Formula 1 is the pinnacle, and it requires not only talent but also special qualities and a certain strength, both mental and physical,” Marko added.
Despite his defence, Red Bull’s talent conveyor belt remains notorious for the speed with which drivers are elevated and then discarded. Marko’s philosophy has produced multiple F1 world champions, but also left a trail of abruptly curtailed careers.
His stance makes clear that there will be no change in approach as Red Bull continues to field one of the toughest driver programmes in world motorsport.
18 drivers backed by Red Bull who reached Formula 1
Christian Klien
Joined Jaguar in 2004 as a Red Bull junior, then became one of the first drivers at the rebranded Red Bull Racing in 2005. Showed promise but never scored consistently, dropped after 2006. Later became a test/reserve driver and moved on to endurance racing.
Joined Jaguar in 2004 as a Red Bull junior, then became one of the first drivers at the rebranded Red Bull Racing in 2005. Showed promise but never scored consistently, dropped after 2006. Later became a test/reserve driver and moved on to endurance racing.
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Italian talent, part of the early Red Bull programme, debuted with Red Bull Racing in 2005 and then Toro Rosso. Managed occasional points but never convinced as a top prospect. Stayed in F1 until 2011 with Force India and HRT before moving into GT and touring cars.
Italian talent, part of the early Red Bull programme, debuted with Red Bull Racing in 2005 and then Toro Rosso. Managed occasional points but never convinced as a top prospect. Stayed in F1 until 2011 with Force India and HRT before moving into GT and touring cars.
Scott Speed
The first American F1 driver in over a decade when Toro Rosso launched in 2006. Backed heavily by Red Bull, but inconsistent performances and clashes with management saw him replaced mid-2007. Later enjoyed greater success in NASCAR and rallycross with Red Bull’s support.
Sebastian Vettel
The programme’s greatest success story. Promoted to Toro Rosso in 2007, won in Monza 2008, then elevated to Red Bull Racing. Won four consecutive World Championships (2010–2013), becoming the youngest champion. Left Red Bull for Ferrari in 2015 and retired from F1 after 2022, cementing legend status.
The programme’s greatest success story. Promoted to Toro Rosso in 2007, won in Monza 2008, then elevated to Red Bull Racing. Won four consecutive World Championships (2010–2013), becoming the youngest champion. Left Red Bull for Ferrari in 2015 and retired from F1 after 2022, cementing legend status.
Sébastien Bourdais
Recruited to Toro Rosso in 2008 after dominating Champ Car. Backed by Red Bull to bring experience, but struggled with F1 machinery and teammate Vettel’s pace. Dropped mid-2009 after poor results. Returned to IndyCar where he re-established himself as a front-runner and multiple race winner.
Recruited to Toro Rosso in 2008 after dominating Champ Car. Backed by Red Bull to bring experience, but struggled with F1 machinery and teammate Vettel’s pace. Dropped mid-2009 after poor results. Returned to IndyCar where he re-established himself as a front-runner and multiple race winner.
Jaime Alguersuari
Made history in 2009 as the youngest driver to start a Grand Prix (aged 19). Promoted straight from Formula Renault 3.5 to Toro Rosso. Stayed until 2011 but never graduated to Red Bull. Dropped from the programme at 21, later raced in Formula E and became a DJ.
Sébastien Buemi
Swiss driver promoted to Toro Rosso in 2009 and raced until 2011. Showed speed but not enough for senior team promotion. Became a highly valued Red Bull test driver and enjoyed major success in endurance racing, winning the WEC and Le Mans multiple times.
Swiss driver promoted to Toro Rosso in 2009 and raced until 2011. Showed speed but not enough for senior team promotion. Became a highly valued Red Bull test driver and enjoyed major success in endurance racing, winning the WEC and Le Mans multiple times.
Daniel Ricciardo
Rose through the Red Bull junior ranks, debuting with HRT in 2011 before two seasons at Toro Rosso. Promoted to the 'seniors' in 2014, where he won three races against Sebastian Vettel. Won seven more races, later drove for Renault and McLaren, and re-joined Red Bull as reserve.
Rose through the Red Bull junior ranks, debuting with HRT in 2011 before two seasons at Toro Rosso. Promoted to the 'seniors' in 2014, where he won three races against Sebastian Vettel. Won seven more races, later drove for Renault and McLaren, and re-joined Red Bull as reserve.
Jean-Éric Vergne
Debuted with Toro Rosso in 2012, racing three seasons with consistent but unspectacular results. Never promoted to Red Bull. Dropped after 2014, later became a double Formula E champion with DS Techeetah. Retains close links to Ferrari as simulator and test driver.
Daniil Kvyat
Graduated to Toro Rosso in 2014, promoted quickly to Red Bull in 2015 where he outscored Ricciardo. Demoted back to Toro Rosso in 2016 to make way for Verstappen. Returned briefly in 2019 but was dropped again. Later moved to endurance and NASCAR.
Graduated to Toro Rosso in 2014, promoted quickly to Red Bull in 2015 where he outscored Ricciardo. Demoted back to Toro Rosso in 2016 to make way for Verstappen. Returned briefly in 2019 but was dropped again. Later moved to endurance and NASCAR.
Max Verstappen
Signed as a 16-year-old prodigy, debuted at Toro Rosso in 2015 aged 17. Promoted to Red Bull in May 2016 and won his first race in Spain. Has since become a dominant force, winning four World Championships by 2025 and anchoring their modern success.
Signed as a 16-year-old prodigy, debuted at Toro Rosso in 2015 aged 17. Promoted to Red Bull in May 2016 and won his first race in Spain. Has since become a dominant force, winning four World Championships by 2025 and anchoring their modern success.
Carlos Sainz Jr.
Brought into F1 by Toro Rosso in 2015 alongside Verstappen. Consistently strong but overlooked for Red Bull promotion. Moved to Renault, McLaren, and then Ferrari, where he became a multiple race winner. One of the most successful drivers not retained by the organisation.
Pierre Gasly
Debuted for Toro Rosso in 2017, promoted to Red Bull in 2019 but struggled alongside Verstappen and was quickly demoted. Rebuilt his career with Toro Rosso/AlphaTauri, taking an emotional win at Monza in 2020. Left the programme and joined Alpine in 2023.
Debuted for Toro Rosso in 2017, promoted to Red Bull in 2019 but struggled alongside Verstappen and was quickly demoted. Rebuilt his career with Toro Rosso/AlphaTauri, taking an emotional win at Monza in 2020. Left the programme and joined Alpine in 2023.
Brendon Hartley
A long-time Red Bull junior who was dropped before ever racing in F1, but later recalled by Toro Rosso in late 2017. Stayed through 2018 but never shone in F1. Became a two-time Le Mans winner and WEC champion with Porsche and Toyota.
A long-time Red Bull junior who was dropped before ever racing in F1, but later recalled by Toro Rosso in late 2017. Stayed through 2018 but never shone in F1. Became a two-time Le Mans winner and WEC champion with Porsche and Toyota.
Alexander Albon
Dropped from the Red Bull system as a junior but recalled in 2019 for Toro Rosso. Promoted mid-season to the senior team but struggled against Verstappen. Demoted to reserve in 2021, then revived his career with Williams, where he became a consistent points-scorer.
Yuki Tsunoda
Graduated from F2 with Red Bull and Honda backing in 2021. Debuted with AlphaTauri and developed into a consistent midfield performer. Retained through the rebrand to Racing Bulls, becoming a key link in Red Bull’s Honda partnership and a long-term project.
Graduated from F2 with Red Bull and Honda backing in 2021. Debuted with AlphaTauri and developed into a consistent midfield performer. Retained through the rebrand to Racing Bulls, becoming a key link in Red Bull’s Honda partnership and a long-term project.
Nyck de Vries
Though not a long-term junior, he was signed under their programme in 2023 to race for AlphaTauri after winning the Formula E championship. His F1 career lasted only ten races before being dropped mid-season. Returned to endurance racing.
Though not a long-term junior, he was signed under their programme in 2023 to race for AlphaTauri after winning the Formula E championship. His F1 career lasted only ten races before being dropped mid-season. Returned to endurance racing.
Liam Lawson
New Zealand prospect, long nurtured by the junior scheme. Made his debut as a stand-in in 2023 and impressed. Promoted to Red Bull in 2025 for two races but quickly demoted to Racing Bulls. Considered a strong talent but caught in the programme’s churn.
New Zealand prospect, long nurtured by the junior scheme. Made his debut as a stand-in in 2023 and impressed. Promoted to Red Bull in 2025 for two races but quickly demoted to Racing Bulls. Considered a strong talent but caught in the programme’s churn.
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