THE YOUNG BULL

Throughout the years, many a driver has come and gone from the Red Bull family. Some have gone onto achieve great things, other's failed when it mattered most. However, is Red Bull's most recent "young gun;" Max Verstappen, the best there's ever been? And, why has the criticism he has received of late been a very important part of his development as a racing driver? I look at the Dutchman's career so far and determine whether he will one day be one of, if not, THE best.

Max Emilian Verstappen, born on 30th September 1997 in Hasselt, Belgium, is the son of a former Formula One driver and an ex-kart racer. Since the day he was born, motorsport has been in his blood and his heart. The youngster began karting at aged four and a half and won his first karting title in 2006 before going onto win numerous more throughout the years. 2013 soon came around the corner and Verstappen, then only sixteen, got his first experience in a single seater racing car before contesting two full-time drives in 2014.

Verstappen's performance in the 2014 Formula 3 season, finishing third and winning ten races in the process, was an eye opener to a number of Formula One teams, including Red Bull Racing and Mercedes. In August of that year, Verstappen joined the Red Bull Junior Team and only six days later, he was to be confirmed as a race driver for Red Bull's sister team; Toro Rosso, for the following year.

A controversial move from the Red Bull team soon put all the critic's minds at ease. The then 17 year old, found himself consistently scoring points and performing overtakes that one could simply remember for a long time after. The following year was more frustrating. His then teammate; Carlos Sainz Jr, would often contest him, showing similar pace and consistency. This caused an awkward tension within the team and following that season's Russian Grand Prix, Verstappen found himself thrown into the main team; Red Bull Racing. Again, due to the youngsters experience and the "sole" reason for his move (Daniil Kvyat's demotion), this move was also seen as some sort of controversy. But in pure Verstappen fashion, the critics were again silenced when he won his first race for the team. Something no one was to expect as of yet.

Verstappen continued to impress with numerous podiums and consisten finishes in the points. However, it wasn't long before things began to change. The Dutchman brought out his aggressive side, with numerous drivers coming forward to complain of the danger. He cleaned up his driving for the following season, however, due to being plagued by constant mechanical failures, it became an unlucky year. He is currently still driving for Red Bull Racing and in recent times has again received a number of complaints due to his aggressive nature. However, the Dutchman is still consistent and CAN race aggressivley yet cleanly. His most recent win came at the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix, a circuit Red Bull usually struggle at.

So, is Verstappen just that one lucky kid who managed to live his dream with barely any experience or is he seriously one of the best?

I think the latter. Max Verstappen is a driver like no other. To get to Formula One with barely any experience is something no one could ever imagine happening to them. Of course at times his inexperience shows and I, among others, may sometimes wonder if he needed a year in GP3 or GP2 just to give him that extra boost.

However, he is proving the world and I wrong. His driving style is special. Aggressive but beautiful. I for one admire his skill. Like Ayrton Senna once said; "If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver." Max Verstappen will one day be a world champion, maybe multiple. And if this never happens, I will eat my socks. You have my word.

Young Driver Programmes: Effective or Not?

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.

Should F1 Ditch Monaco?

Monaco. When I hear the name of this country, particular words come to mind. Glitz, glam, casinos, celebrities, money, famous, sun, sea and most importantly; Formula One. In this blog post, I am going to be explaining my opinion on why Formula One can never loose the most prestigious race on the calendar that is the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Monaco Grand Prix first came to light in 1929 when it first became apart of the "pre-Second World War European Championships." The story of how the race came about is an interesting one. Then president of the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM); Antony Noghés applied to the Association Internationale des Automobiles Clubs Reconnus in 1928 in order to give the ACM an upgrade from their status as a regional French club to full national status. However, unfortunately, this was denied due to the lack of motorsport in the principality. Noghés then came up with the idea of a race within the streets of Monte Carlo and with official permission from then Prince Louis II, the Monaco Grand Prix was born. Officially holding their first race on 14th April 1929 which was eventually won by French-Brit; William Grover-Williams.

In the years leading up to the war, the Monaco Grand Prix grew in popularity and eventually was recognised as a national grand prix in 1933. However this wasn't to last, because in 1939 due to the Second World War, all racing in Europe was suspended until 1945.

The Monaco Grand Prix has officially been apart of the Formula One World Championship since 1955, with races in 1950 and 1952 respectively. Throughout the years, hundreds of drivers have taken to these streets, guiding their cars at ridiculous speeds through the likes of Massenet and Piscine (also known as the Swimming Pool Chicane) and squeezing themselves and their machinery through the tight corners of Sainte-Dévote and Mirabeau. And, when a driver wins, it is something special. Known as one of, if not the most demanding race on the current Formula One calendar, it has split the men from the boys and given us a range of different winners; from William Grover-Williams to Juan Manuel Fangio, from the "King of Monaco" - Graham Hill to Jack Stewart, Ayrton Senna to Alain Prost and Fernando Alonso to Sebastian Vettel. This is just a small handful of winners. In fact, Australian Daniel Ricciardo won the prestigious race just moments before I started to write this.

But, if it's so famous and historical in Formula One, why do people moan about it? Simple. As the cars have evolved over the years, the racing around Monte-Carlo has become some-what less thrilling. The cars may be faster but overtaking is harder. Non-F1 fans perception of the sport being "cars driving around in circles" becomes just that. However, it's not always a "bore fest." At times the racing can live up to being thrilling. Look at the 2008 race. Unpredictable weather made for a classic.

I for one enjoy Monaco. Do I ever find it long and boring? Sometimes, yes. But the anticipation of the event gets me hyped. The glitz and glamour is fabulous. But what really makes Monaco for me is the tight, narrow circuit. When you're waiting for the lights to go out, wondering who'll be first to make that unforgivable mistake. When you're waiting for the rain to mix things up and the wheel to wheel battles that unfortunatley we don't always get.

Monaco is a special race. Monaco is Formula One, just look at the history. It cannot afford to loose such an iconic and prestigious event. Next time you're moaning that it's boring, think of its history and watch a classic. I hope Monaco will still be around for some time.