Marco: By signing a contract with Max, we took a risk

Helmut Marko admitted that Red Bull took a risk in signing Max Verstappen when he was 16 years old with a view to his debut in Formula 1, but further developments showed they were doing the right thing.

Max made his Grand Prix debut with Toro Rosso at the age of 17 years and 166 days, becoming the youngest driver in Formula 1 history – a feat no one can surpass, as the FIA ​​then changed the minimum age for obtaining a super license.

When Verstappen, with all his undoubted talent, still mastered the art of driving F1 cars and grasped the basics of skill, he made many enemies for himself, as he was distinguished by an overly aggressive style of fighting on the track, in addition to Then he made mistakes. But since then he has changed and is now rightfully regarded as one of the best racers not only of his generation, but in World Cup history in general.

“With Verstappen it was clear in the karting days and he was brilliant then,” said Marco, a motorsports consultant for Red Bull, in an interview with The Young Economist. – Even then we started talking to him, in which I talked about Formula 3 and other racing classes. And then I said to Jos, his father: “Forget it, we’re going to Formula 1.”

At the time, this was a very bold move. When I told Jos about this on the phone, I didn’t hear anything in the receiver for a long time – he was so surprised. Drivers like Max don’t show up more than once every 10 years, he has incredible talent.

But we took risks: what if something went wrong? Then, of course, the audience jumps at us. However, since then the system has changed, now to get a super license you have to be at least 18 years old. But then everything worked out really well for us, Max made a sensation. Of course he sometimes did stupid things at that age, but others continue to do it even after twenty years. But he proved everything to everyone.