[PorscheF1]

As you all know Verstappen won the last GP, that makes him the second ‘first time winner’ in the last three seasons right after Ricciardo who won for the first time in Canada in 2014. Both did so in a Red Bull and both graduated if you like from STR. With all the complaints going around at how harsh RB was to put Kvyat back into STR it’s easy to overlook at what a stunning record the junior programme of Red Bull actually has. Let’s take a look.

Red Bull
– Vettel, went on to win four titles and many races.
– Ricciardo, went on to win three races in 2014, by now he is a proven asset to any team.
– Verstappen, won his first (without a doubt of many) GPs this weekend.
– Kvyat, two podiums (a third one in Mexico 2015 should’ve been his) isn’t to shabby.
– Sainz, a lesser driver to Verstappen but surely way above average.

McLaren
– Hamilton*, became a world champion in his second season
– Magnussen, podium on first race (hardly due to magnificent pace), above average at best for the remainer of his career
– Vandoorne, P10 at debut, still does not have a seat after taking title after title in the junior ranks.

* Hamilton was the last rookie to get such mileage before entering the sport.

Ferrari
– Bianchi, scored Marussia their only points. May he rest in peace.
– Guttierrez??

Mercedes
– Wehrlein, is impressing in the Manor after a DTM title.
– Ocon, races in the DTM to waste a year of his career.

So while we all can agree RB has been the hardest and thoughest environment, it does deliver. They have a great eye for world class talent and a great way to nurture it into GP winners and podium visitors. If Mercedes had picked up Verstappen he might be driving a terrible C-class at Hockenheim for all we know (poor Ocon).

Opinions?

Mine is that F1 is a hostile environment and only the hardest survive, RB doesn’t sugarcoat it and neither does Helmut Marko. If you’re not made of gold you’re not F1 stuff, and you’re certainly not the next world champion.

[JamieFranklinF1]

I’d have to agree that Red Bull has done the best job. Coulthard said it best this weekend: this isn’t a charity where drivers are given a seat, they have to prove themselves and if the team doesn’t think they are the next big thing, why bother keeping them?

F1 is supposedly the pinnacle of motor sport and I’m glad to see that Red Bull are doing so well in this area. It may seem harsh, but no-one can argue with the talent they have brought through.

[Author]

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