When you look at a good handful of drivers that currently compete in Formula One, you see talent and excellence and you have no doubt they earned their place on the grid. However, there are many drivers with talent and excellence that we are yet to see in this racing category, and, in all honesty, we probably will never see. In this post I m going to be looking at one of the most popular paths to Formula One and whether this choice is as effective as it should be.
Red Bull Junior Team, Ferrari Academy, McLaren Young Driver Programme, Mercedes Young Driver Programme and Renault Young Driver Academy; you've probably heard of them all. But, these are the young driver programmes that kids, with an ambition to race at the top someday, are striving to be a part of. In all honesty, this is the most secure way to get into Formula One. You have the talent and you have the Formula One team, backing you every step of the way. So why could this not be an affective stratgey? Well, just think of that saying: "Easier said than done." If anything young driver programmes are brutal, some more than others and even being apart of one doesn't guarentee you anything. Let's take a look at three different drivers who were all once apart of the Red Bull Junior Team and how being apart of a young driver programme has affected their career.
Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel, the most successful driver to come from the Red Bull Junior Team. The 30 year old German first joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 1998 as a successful 11 year old karter. The infamous drinks company continued to back Vettel throughout his junior single seater career which led to him competing in his first Formula One race in 2007 by replacing an injured Robert Kubica at that years United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis, Indiana. He finished in eighth position, taking his first world championship points and therefore, becoming the youngest to do so. Vettel then went on to win his first race the following year in a Toro Rosso before winning the championship four years in a row from 2010 to 2014 for Toro Rosso's parent team, Red Bull Racing. The young driver programme was a great benefit for Vettel and has helped the German achieve great things. As of 2018, Vettel is no longer affiliated with Red Bull. He now drives for the Italian Stallion; Ferrari.
Jean-Eric Vergne
Jean-Eric Vergne is a 28 year old Frenchman who is currently racing in Formula E with the TECHEETA Formula E team. He was once a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, joining in 2007. He had a relatively decent junior single seater career including championship wins in Formula Campus Renault and the British F3 Championship. Due to his good performances, he continued to work with Red Bull, eventually gaining a seat at Toro Rosso with fellow Red Bull Junior; Daniel Ricciardo in 2012. The Frenchman had a tough time in Formula One. Although a consistent points scorer, he seemed to be overshadowed by teammate Ricciardo and although Vergne had put in some good drives, it was Ricciardo who was promoted to Red Bull after Mark Webber's retirement at the end of 2013. However, Red Bull saw potential in Vergne and kept him at Toro Rosso for one more season. During the Summer break of the 2014 season, things were not looking bright for the Frenchman. A young, Dutch teenager, who goes by the name of Max Verstappen came onto the Red Bull scene and was soon announced to replace Vergne the following year. In October, things got worse when he was once again overlooked for a drive at the parent team, the seat instead going to current teammate Daniil Kvyat. A space now open at Toro Rosso, Red Bull decided to replace Vergne after three seasons. Carlos Sainz Jr took over the Frenchman's seat from 2015. It was not all doom and gloom for Vergne, as of 2018, he currently leads the Formula E championship with only a couple of races to go.
Antonio Felix da Costa
If anything, Antonio Felix da Costa's story is a frustrating one. Joining the Red Bull Junior Team midway through 2012, da Costa was dubbed as "THE one to watch," putting in a very entertaining performance in 2013 during his on track battles with Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne in Formula Renault 3.5. It was just a matter of time before the Portuguese would get to Formula One. Or, so we thought. At the end of 2013 with Ricciardo's departure from Toro Rosso to Red Bull, a seat was available at the young team. For months on end fans of the sport were convinced that da Costa would get the drive. However, months passed and still no confirmation. Another Red Bull Junior, Daniil Kvyat had just won the GP3 championship but still, no one thought he would be the one to get the seat. But, he was. da Costa was overlooked and subsequently dropped from the junior team. Red Bull, however, continued to support him during his two years in DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagon Masters). After these two years, da Costa and Red Bull parted ways. You can now find da Costa racing in Formula E.
So, it's hard to say. No matter how talented you are, the path to Formula One is brutal. It can go one of two ways, but if we look at how many drivers have made it to Formula One from young driver programmes, we can say that the idea is effective and is a success. But when does it stop being effective and successful?
Again, using the Red Bull Junior Team as an example. Brendan Hartley. A driver from New Zealand, who once upon a time was a member of this little team, never made it to Formula One and was dropped before he had a proper chance. Years later, the tables turned and the Kiwi got his Formula One debut with Toro Rosso in late 2017. His time competing at this level has so far been plagued by bad luck, he has yet to have a chance to show his worth, esepcially with young, gun teammate; Pierre Gasly. Only a few races into the 2018 season, rumours began to swirl that Hartley would be replaced. This is where it get's interesting. These said rumours stated that Red Bull were looking away from their Junior Team, at other drivers. It has been confirmed they even tried to poach Lando Norris from the McLaren Young Driver Programme. In fact, this is the story that inspired to look into the junior teams. Why have a junior team if you're not going to use your own drivers? It's understandable why they've done this though. None of their drivers are ready. Fair enough. But it makes you think.
To conclude my little investigation, I personally like the idea of young driver programmes and when used correctly are effective and bring in talented drivers rather "pay" drivers. Im interested to see how the Red Bull/Toro Rosso situation turns out. Will they keep Hartley or will they ignore the fact they have a junior team? It's an interesting scenario for sure.
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