Amid the whole Nyck deVries debacle, Red Bull and their treatment of drivers has been brought into question. Along with this, their junior team has been brought into the spotlight as the team harnesses a pool of talented young drivers they are yet to fully utilize. But give the AlphaTauri opportunity to Daniel Ricciardo. Therefore, a first-hand narration of the experience, fully explains why Red Bull is as ruthless as it is.
Helmut Marko is often painted as the villain in this story, as the talent hunter not only has an eye for the best but also hands it as it is for the worst. With numerous drivers falling prey to the brutal expectations of the most fun team on the grid, it actually is a simple phenomenon.
As of 2018, the team invests a solid $80,000,000 in its junior program, sponsoring up-and-coming drivers to make it in the big leagues. However, they ask for only one thing in return: unmatched greatness.
Controversial Red Bull strategy explained
Jaime Alguersuari was once a product of this very factory. And while the former F1 driver is still sour about the way he left the team, he understands why Red Bull functions the way they do. Talking to SkySports F1, Alguersuari shared his candid experience as a member of the academy and why tough love is Red Bull’s love language.
“The junior program is a very strict, very demanding program. But it has to be. they pay for your career. they sponsor many drivers.” He goes on to explain that if sifts through the number of drivers the team empties their wallets on, it would be a baffling amount.
Gives you 🔟 wins out of 🔟 races 🇳🇱🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/uYq2sZvUi8
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 11, 2023
However, this benefits both parties. “If you have more drivers to sponsor, to test, to try- you get very good drivers out of it. Like champions.”
Touching upon the treatment of the drivers in this pool, he states, “The way they act, sometimes it is not fair, but it’s the way it is. What they did with me, is not a sporting manner… because it was not decided on results. It was decided on commercial and politic interesting things.”
But, he holds no grudges. “That’s the way F1 sometimes works and you have to accept it. you are a part of it.”
Making diamonds under pressure
Alguersuari also explains that the pressure and threat of losing that prestigious opportunity is what makes the best drivers. “I enjoyed every single moment. Even the pressure moments were fun because if you can’t deal with that pressure, you cannot deal with the moment you have a winning car and you are about to become world champion, or you have to deliver.”
11 wins in a row 🏆 EQUALLING the all-time @F1 record 💪 pic.twitter.com/lSTqWW7Oo8
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 9, 2023
Thus, he believes Red Bull is only right to shut the doors on the drivers who don’t live up to the mark. “If you don’t deliver results, if you are not in the right performance or where you should be, then they have the right to get you out because they are asking you for the best.”
And it has been a tried and tested process. This very academy has given the sport drivers like Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, David Coulthard, and the man of the moment, Max Verstappen. Producing championships comes at a price. And in F1, it has to be one you’re willing to pay.
