About Max and the Red Bull Junior Team
Published on 12 August 2014 by Niels Hendrix
The Red Bull Junior Team was established in 2001 as a driver development program for budding young racing drivers. The goal is to find and support the future Formula 1 world champions. The Red Bull Junior Team drivers do not only learn the basics of motor racing in the various junior categories but are also primed for the physical challenges on an individual basis in the Red Bull Diagnostics & Training Center in Thalgau near Salzburg, Austria.
Max is one of four drivers currently part of the Red Bull Junior Team. The other youngsters are Pierre Gasly (18 years old) and Carlos Sainz Jr. (19), who both compete in the World Series by Renault, and Alex Lynn (20), who contests the GP3 Series. The most prominent name to have come through the Red Bull Junior ranks is four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Max Verstappen’s short but impressive career starts age sevens as he wins race after race and clinches title after title on a national level. From 2010 onwards, he takes the international karting scene by storm. After plenty of success in the previous two years, Max is crowned world and double European champion karting in 2013.
After several successful Formula Renault 2.0 tests, Max makes his official single seater debut in the Florida Winter Series. He wins his first motor race in the series supported by the Ferrari Driver Academy and the Dutchman impresses throughout all the twelve races with two victories and three podium finishes.
The ambitious Verstappen junior opts to continue his career in the prestigious FIA Formula 3 European Championship. In only the second round of the series, Max takes his first F3 victory. With three rounds to go, Max has thus far clinched seven victories and four podiums, including two hat tricks at Spa-Francorchamps and the Norisring. In addition, the 16-year-old youngster won the Zandvoort Masters crown in front of an ecstatic home crowd.
The good relationship with the Red Bull Junior Team goes back several years. Max’ father and mentor, Jos Verstappen, visited the Red Bull head quarters for the first time five years ago. Furthermore, Dr. Helmut Marko, who advises Infinity Red Bull Racing, has always kept an eye on Max’ impressive career. The Austrian played a crucial part in signing Max. The contract ultimately finalized the week after the European F3 race at the Red Bull Ring.
Max: “Besides Red Bull I would like to express my gratitude to my current sponsors as they made it possible for me to make my motor racing debut. We’ll finish the season with these loyal sponsors and hopefully we can continue our collaboration as we take the next step. For now, my focus as a Red Bull Junior remains completely with Van Amersfoort Racing as I want to finish the European Formula 3 Championship to the best of my abilities.”
