Max Verstappen to Race for Toro Rosso
Discussion
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115435
There's no doubting the kid has talent, but I'd have thought 17 was way too early to jump straight into an F1 car.
Considering this is his first year racing cars and that he hasn't even tested an F1 car, it all seems very premature.
Time will tell.
Autosport said:
Max Verstappen will race in Formula 1 at the age of 17 when he joins the Toro Rosso team next year, the Red Bull-owned squad announced on Monday.
The Dutchman, currently competing in the Formula 3 European Championship, will join Russian Daniil Kvyat, replacing Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne.
Verstappen, the son of former grand prix driver Jos, had joined the Red Bull F1 junior programme just last week.
He has won seven F3 races in his maiden season of car racing, having competing in karting until last year.
As revealed by AUTOSPORT earlier this month, he had been linked with the Mercedes F1 junior programme as well.
Verstappen will become the youngest ever driver to be on the F1 grid when he races in next year's Australian Grand Prix.
"Ever since I was seven years old, Formula 1 has been my career goal, so this opportunity is truly a dream come true," said Verstappen.
His team-mate Kvyat made his debut this year at the age of 19.
"We are happy to welcome Max into the Toro Rosso family," said team boss Franz Tost.
"It's great to see how the Red Bull Junior Programme continues to find talented young drivers and gives them the opportunity to come into Formula 1.
"We consider Max to be as one of the most skilled young drivers of the new generation and we believe he has the necessary maturity and mental strength to take on this challenge successfully."
The news means Vergne's future in Formula 1 will depend on finding a drive elsewhere.
"I would also like to thank Jean-Eric Vergne for all his hard work," added Tost.
"He has produced strong performances, but unfortunately he was also hindered by some reliability problems, especially in the first half of the current season.
"We hope that we have resolved these problems and that he will be able to end the second half of this season on a high note and thereby show that he still deserves another opportunity in Formula 1."
The Dutchman, currently competing in the Formula 3 European Championship, will join Russian Daniil Kvyat, replacing Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne.
Verstappen, the son of former grand prix driver Jos, had joined the Red Bull F1 junior programme just last week.
He has won seven F3 races in his maiden season of car racing, having competing in karting until last year.
As revealed by AUTOSPORT earlier this month, he had been linked with the Mercedes F1 junior programme as well.
Verstappen will become the youngest ever driver to be on the F1 grid when he races in next year's Australian Grand Prix.
"Ever since I was seven years old, Formula 1 has been my career goal, so this opportunity is truly a dream come true," said Verstappen.
His team-mate Kvyat made his debut this year at the age of 19.
"We are happy to welcome Max into the Toro Rosso family," said team boss Franz Tost.
"It's great to see how the Red Bull Junior Programme continues to find talented young drivers and gives them the opportunity to come into Formula 1.
"We consider Max to be as one of the most skilled young drivers of the new generation and we believe he has the necessary maturity and mental strength to take on this challenge successfully."
The news means Vergne's future in Formula 1 will depend on finding a drive elsewhere.
"I would also like to thank Jean-Eric Vergne for all his hard work," added Tost.
"He has produced strong performances, but unfortunately he was also hindered by some reliability problems, especially in the first half of the current season.
"We hope that we have resolved these problems and that he will be able to end the second half of this season on a high note and thereby show that he still deserves another opportunity in Formula 1."
There's no doubting the kid has talent, but I'd have thought 17 was way too early to jump straight into an F1 car.
Considering this is his first year racing cars and that he hasn't even tested an F1 car, it all seems very premature.
Time will tell.
So what was the point in Red Bull signing Carlos Sainz jr and Alex Lynn? As far as I can tell they've done nothing wrong. Sainz is leading the Formula Renault 3.5 standings by quite a way, likewise Lynn in GP3.
What's the point of the Red Bull FR3.5 and GP3 teams?
This is madness. It's obvious that he could be the next big thing, but to move him up to F1 so soon is ridiculous when they've already got other good drivers who are more prepared.
What's the point of the Red Bull FR3.5 and GP3 teams?
This is madness. It's obvious that he could be the next big thing, but to move him up to F1 so soon is ridiculous when they've already got other good drivers who are more prepared.
CharlesAL said:
So what was the point in Red Bull signing Carlos Sainz jr and Alex Lynn? As far as I can tell they've done nothing wrong. Sainz is leading the Formula Renault 3.5 standings by quite a way, likewise Lynn in GP3.
What's the point of the Red Bull FR3.5 and GP3 teams?
This is madness. It's obvious that he could be the next big thing, but to move him up to F1 so soon is ridiculous when they've already got other good drivers who are more prepared.
Very good points. What's the point of the Red Bull FR3.5 and GP3 teams?
This is madness. It's obvious that he could be the next big thing, but to move him up to F1 so soon is ridiculous when they've already got other good drivers who are more prepared.
When these kids pop up out of nowhere, there's always something we're missing from the reasoning. Common sense and logic tells you that there just have to be better prepared prospects yet they all fall by the wayside.
Do these kids have some unearthly ability? Not ever been evident yet, and hardly needed in today's F1 cars anyway.
....and in Max's case it can't be inherited.
Verstappen in at STR and I see Caterham are speaking to Andre Lotterer... those F1 bosses must have had too much sangria during the break!! I must be missing something!
As others have said, why so early and what message does this send about the other Red Bull drivers such as Da Costa and Lynn?
I thought they were brave with Kvyat at 19 but have to say he's a standout of the season HOWEVER Max Verstappen is still in his first year of cars! Why not put him in WSR next year and give him some time to learn? The world of F1 may well swallow him up just like Alguersuari (remember him?).
I can only think that these decisions are either based on marketing considerations or secret simulator shoot outs that the teams conduct and analyse. Either way, bizarre decision IMO.
As others have said, why so early and what message does this send about the other Red Bull drivers such as Da Costa and Lynn?
I thought they were brave with Kvyat at 19 but have to say he's a standout of the season HOWEVER Max Verstappen is still in his first year of cars! Why not put him in WSR next year and give him some time to learn? The world of F1 may well swallow him up just like Alguersuari (remember him?).
I can only think that these decisions are either based on marketing considerations or secret simulator shoot outs that the teams conduct and analyse. Either way, bizarre decision IMO.
I don't think they've ever been 100% about Sainz, much in the same way Da Costa fell from grace. They usually support those that fail to make the grade for a further year.
Max is clearly quick, but why put him under that much pressure in only his second season in single seaters? But then the same was said about Raikkonen....
Where this leaves Alex,I don't know. I'd assume that he could be an insurance policy or perhaps move up if Kvyat takes Vettel's seat in 2016? Although Alex is a 'veteran' by Red Bull standards!!!
Ocon is quick but has a terrible attitude when he doesn't win. He's a Gravity driver too, so must have a chance at Lotus.
Shame that Blomqvist was stiffed by being placed by Marko with his mates at EuroInternational. That cost him his place on the programme.
Max is clearly quick, but why put him under that much pressure in only his second season in single seaters? But then the same was said about Raikkonen....
Where this leaves Alex,I don't know. I'd assume that he could be an insurance policy or perhaps move up if Kvyat takes Vettel's seat in 2016? Although Alex is a 'veteran' by Red Bull standards!!!
Ocon is quick but has a terrible attitude when he doesn't win. He's a Gravity driver too, so must have a chance at Lotus.
Shame that Blomqvist was stiffed by being placed by Marko with his mates at EuroInternational. That cost him his place on the programme.
I don't think they've ever been 100% about Sainz, much in the same way Da Costa fell from grace. They usually support those that fail to make the grade for a further year.
Max is clearly quick, but why put him under that much pressure in only his second season in single seaters? But then the same was said about Raikkonen....
Where this leaves Alex,I don't know. I'd assume that he could be an insurance policy or perhaps move up if Kvyat takes Vettel's seat in 2016? Although Alex is a 'veteran' by Red Bull standards!!!
Ocon is quick but has a terrible attitude when he doesn't win. He's a Gravity driver too, so must have a chance at Lotus.
Shame that Blomqvist was stiffed by being placed by Marko with his mates at EuroInternational. That cost him his place on the programme.
Max is clearly quick, but why put him under that much pressure in only his second season in single seaters? But then the same was said about Raikkonen....
Where this leaves Alex,I don't know. I'd assume that he could be an insurance policy or perhaps move up if Kvyat takes Vettel's seat in 2016? Although Alex is a 'veteran' by Red Bull standards!!!
Ocon is quick but has a terrible attitude when he doesn't win. He's a Gravity driver too, so must have a chance at Lotus.
Shame that Blomqvist was stiffed by being placed by Marko with his mates at EuroInternational. That cost him his place on the programme.
What an odd decision.
An F1 driver at 17? Not sure it's a good thing for either him or for F1 in general.
As for his career - potentially over by his 20th birthday unless he proves to be an exceptional talent.
Also feel sorry for JEV. Worked his balls off only to be replaced by a kid!!!!
F1 - never fails to amaze.
An F1 driver at 17? Not sure it's a good thing for either him or for F1 in general.
As for his career - potentially over by his 20th birthday unless he proves to be an exceptional talent.
Also feel sorry for JEV. Worked his balls off only to be replaced by a kid!!!!
F1 - never fails to amaze.
Well, Red Bull's young driver programme has produced Vettel and Ricciardo (while still relatively unproven, he certainly looks like a superstar in the making). I think they know a thing or two.
That said, I was pretty shocked that they're putting Max Verstappen in a Toro Rosso at the age of 17. I guess we'll see whether it was a good idea or not.
That said, I was pretty shocked that they're putting Max Verstappen in a Toro Rosso at the age of 17. I guess we'll see whether it was a good idea or not.
Yesteryear one would graduate to F1 via karting - FF - F3; F3000 was for 'lesser' drivers to doddle around whilst hunting F1 contracts.
As someone (and I'm sure I'm not the only one) who has little interest in saturated junior formulae/ladder system could you expand on your views:
As someone (and I'm sure I'm not the only one) who has little interest in saturated junior formulae/ladder system could you expand on your views:
rubystone said:
I don't think they've ever been 100% about Sainz, much in the same way Da Costa fell from grace. They usually support those that fail to make the grade for a further year.
Perhaps not a great indicator of 'talent' but Da Costa hasn't made an impact in DTM compared to Paffet or Di Resta.Vaud said:
One view - he's much too young, can't possibly be ready, etc
Another view - highly experienced people with access to a lot of data have taken brave but calculated risk on a very young driver.
Correct. Whilst I was surprised at this, the Red Bull Academy has produced Vettel, Ricciardo and Kyvat. It has also seen plenty of drivers who were given an opportunity but did not find that critical n'th degree to become a true topliner. Alguesari, Buemi, Speed, Klien etc. Another view - highly experienced people with access to a lot of data have taken brave but calculated risk on a very young driver.
Tost/Marko and the Red Bull engineers know a lot more about what makes a champion that I do, so I trust them when they see more in Max than Sainz or Lynn.
At this level, it's a cruel world. To think that Vergne and Ricciardo were neck and neck for the RBR drive a year ago.....
...I hope JEV gets an opportunity at Sauber, Lotus or Williams....or even a RBR reserve seat. He's too good to cast away.
Vaud said:
One view - he's much too young, can't possibly be ready, etc
Another view - highly experienced people with access to a lot of data have taken brave but calculated risk on a very young driver.
That's the point though. they cant have that much data. Not real data. And not in comparison with their other proteges, so if this is a sound decision what does it say about their opinion of those others?Another view - highly experienced people with access to a lot of data have taken brave but calculated risk on a very young driver.
Petrus1983 said:
Playing Devils Advocate - could it be that the new 'computer generation' are finding it easier?
Quite probably, computer games do tend to sharpen reflexes and the quality of modern track renditions in games and simulators means experience isn't as big a barrier to youth as it once was, it's also a lot faster for them to get used to the changes different setups can make to a car.And frankly, where better to get the experience than the cars you'll be racing for the majority of your career? At least there's no preconceptions from other race series/cars to get rid of first.
Edited by PhillipM on Tuesday 19th August 09:17
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