Helmut Marko targets Max Verstappen’s early years in F1
Red Bull F1 is searching for new drivers. The Dutch driver Max Verstappen interests Helmut Marko, who is always on the lookout for talents for the Red Bull Junior Team program.
Max Verstappen is the son of Jos Verstappen, former F1 driver for Benetton, Stewart, and Arrows. He recently visited the paddock at the invitation of several F1 teams.
Father and son discussed with Helmut Marko, but the Dutch driver reportedly decided to sign with Mercedes.
According to *Autosprint*, Max Verstappen hopes to transition to GP2 in 2015, but he might soon have his first tests in F1.
According to *Italiaracing*, during the Red Bull Ring event, the Verstappens had a long meeting with Marko. The result is that Red Bull is ready to pay the penalty of the young driver’s contract to sign him to their development program. Helmut Marko promised Max Verstappen to give him his debut behind the wheel of a Toro Rosso in 2015 when he turns 17.
The son of Jos should take the seat currently occupied by the Frenchman Jean-Éric Vergne, partially overshadowed by the rookie Daniil Kvyat.
Max Verstappen is not alone, as Carlos Sainz Jr is eyeing the Toro Rosso seat.
However, it is possible that the two young drivers are regulars while Daniil Kvyat is a driver at Red Bull Racing.
However, even though Christian Horner states in the Spanish daily AS that Daniil has been sensational so far, he refuses to acknowledge a possible departure of the four-time world champion Vettel, despite McLaren wanting to sign a top driver of the German’s caliber.
To Bild, Horner states: “We 100% have the best duo in F1.” before adding “Seb is comfortable with us, he trusts us. He has won 38 races with us and that’s not easily forgotten.” and concludes “And I don’t think Seb actually wants to leave for elsewhere.”
