Red Bull fast-tracked Max Verstappen’s 2017 entry, prioritizing retention over gradual progression in their race lineup.
Max Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull after just four races in 2016, despite having only one year of prior experience. The three-time F1 world champion reveals that he was originally scheduled to move the following year.
“This promotion to the main team was already set for the next year, for 2017,” Verstappen disclosed in the documentary “10 Years of Max Verstappen.” “The fact that it came in 2016 was just a good thing.”
The Dutchman recalls being called to Austria to see Helmut Marko, then to Milton Keynes to prepare: “It was also kind of a relief when they told me the day after the race in Sochi that I had to first go to Graz, to Helmut Marko’s, and then to the factory in England.”
A bold decision rewarded by Red Bull with a win in his first race for the team: “That start went very well, as there were still people who had doubts.”
“But then, I won that race, even if there was a bit of luck. But it’s still good to show that. The following weekend in Monaco didn’t go well, but when you’ve won the race before that, it’s what people remember.”
His next period of doubt came in early 2018, when he strung together mistakes and poor performances, to the point of threatening journalists who asked what was wrong with his driving.
“At that time, I was really angry. At some point, enough is enough. I know I made mistakes then. But you can’t keep complaining. Because at that time, I was really about to headbutt someone.”
Now Max Verstappen has been driving with a Honda engine at Red Bull for a long time. After highs and lows, their partnership is set to end after 2025, as Red Bull will create their own engines with Ford, while Honda will team up with Aston Martin. The Dutchman praised the Japanese engine provider.
The following year, Honda joined the Red Bull project: “I was very excited myself when Helmut told me Honda was coming. It brought new energy to the team.”
“We toured in Japan, at Sakura. There, we saw that the potential was really there. All that was left was to find a few people to carry out the entire project. In the end, everything went well.”
He recalls a tremendous relief for Honda, after four challenging seasons with McLaren F1 and Toro Rosso, to finally find the path to victory: “The very first win was very emotional for them. They just kept complaining in the garage.”
“For them, of course, it’s a great satisfaction, because they had very difficult beginnings when returning to Formula 1. But they never gave up. I think that’s also typical of the Japanese mentality.”
Despite the upcoming end of their partnership, Verstappen emotionally remembers his time with Honda: “They will never give up and sometimes Europeans can really learn something from this.”
“It’s also nice to see with the engineers, for example. You work with many different cultures and it works. I really appreciate being part of this team.”
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Verstappen’s Early Red Bull Start: A Rushed Move Verstappen’s Early Red Bull Start: A Rushed Move
