Young Drivers on the Rise in Formula 1
The trend of promoting younger and younger drivers to Formula 1 is becoming increasingly common. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has made it clear that he is a strong advocate for younger drivers making the step up to the top category of motorsport.
In recent years, Marko’s stance has been proven correct, as several drivers who are currently excelling in Formula 1 made their debut at a very early age. One notable example is Max Verstappen, who became the youngest driver in history to debut in F1 at the age of 17.
The Red Bull Youth
Red Bull has a rich history of developing young talent, with five drivers on the current grid being part of the team’s youth program: Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly, and Alex Albon. It is likely that we will see more of their young drivers making the step up to F1 in the near future.
Isack Hadjar, Arvid Lindblad, and Liam Lawson are three names that could be considered for a promotion to F1. Hadjar is currently leading the F2 championship, while Lindblad has risen from F4 to F3 and Lawson is the reserve driver for Red Bull.
New Faces at the Grand Circus
Marko has praised the performance of some young drivers, including Oliver Bearman, who will be driving for Haas next season. Marko believes that Bearman has taken advantage of his opportunities and is poised for success in F1.
However, not everyone is convinced that promoting young drivers is the right approach. Marko acknowledges that there are teams that are hesitant to give opportunities to young drivers, and that there are drivers who are already on the grid who are stagnating.
The Future of Formula 1
Marko believes that it is essential to give young drivers a chance to prove themselves, even if they make mistakes. He argues that it is better to have a young driver who is eager to learn and improve than to have an experienced driver who is no longer committed to their craft.
As the sport looks to the future, it will be interesting to see which young drivers will make the step up to F1 and which teams will be willing to give them a chance.