The Controversial Promotion of Max Verstappen
Helmut Marko, the former supremo of Red Bull Racing, has revealed that Christian Horner, then team principal, was hesitant to promote Max Verstappen into the senior Red Bull team just four races into the 2016 season. This decision came on the 10-year anniversary of Verstappen’s remarkable victory at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, where he became the youngest driver to win an F1 race.
At the time, Verstappen was only 18 years old and had just completed his second full season in Formula 1. He made his debut for Toro Rosso in 2015, and by 2016, he was still considered a young talent with much to learn. Marko explained that Horner believed Verstappen was not yet ready for the pressures of the senior team.
The Decision to Promote Verstappen
The decision to move Verstappen up was influenced by the underwhelming performance of Daniil Kvyat, the team’s other driver. Kvyat had struggled during the previous race in Russia, where he crashed twice and faced criticism from fans and rivals alike. Marko noted that Kvyat had been performing well the previous year, even outpacing Daniel Ricciardo in certain conditions, such as in the rain. However, in 2016, he was inconsistent and complained about brake issues from the start of testing.
“Kvyat wasn’t the same driver and complained about the brakes from the first day of testing. It was clear we had to do something,” Marko said.
Verstappen’s teammate, Carlos Sainz, was disappointed that he wasn’t chosen for the promotion. However, Marko emphasized that the decision was straightforward for the team.
The Pressure on the Team
Christian Horner was against promoting Verstappen after only four races in 2016, and many critics and rivals also questioned the decision. They believed that Verstappen was too young and that it was a risky move.
Despite these concerns, Verstappen qualified fourth for the Spanish Grand Prix, behind the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, as well as his teammate Daniel Ricciardo. On the opening lap, the Mercedes drivers collided, allowing Ricciardo and Verstappen to take the lead.
Strategic Decisions in the Race
Red Bull opted for a different strategy for Verstappen compared to Ricciardo. While Ricciardo would stop three times with softer tires, Verstappen would stop only twice, using a more aggressive approach. Ferrari also adopted a similar strategy with Kimi Räikkönen, while keeping Sebastian Vettel on the standard setup.
As the race progressed, Verstappen and Räikkönen maintained their lead, with Verstappen eventually becoming the youngest driver to win an F1 race.
A Shocking Performance
Marko described Verstappen’s performance under immense pressure as shocking. Although Räikkönen was faster on the straights, he couldn’t overtake Verstappen due to his intelligent and mature driving style.
“Not even (father) Jos or Max’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, could believe it,” Marko said.
For Marko and Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, the victory was a huge relief. Many people had doubted the decision, but the win silenced the critics.
The Impact on Red Bull
The win was a significant boost for Red Bull as a brand. Having a young and fresh face like Verstappen as a representative was a powerful marketing move. Mentally, Verstappen was far older than his age, showing maturity beyond his years.
Verstappen’s Legacy
Since that historic win, Verstappen has gone on to secure four world championships and is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted drivers in F1 history.
Currently, Verstappen is competing in the legendary Nurburgring 24-hour race, but not in Formula 1.
