Red Bull has made a habit of promoting its junior drivers. Why, questions Helmut Marko, have other teams not done the same?
Helmut Marko has derided the philosophy of Red Bull's F1 rivals as 'outdated' when it comes to the promotion of junior drivers.
Red Bull has made a habit over the years of giving drivers who have climbed the ladder via its Red Bull Academy an opportunity in F1, with some notable examples such as Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo, amongst others.
It has to be said, however, that Red Bull has long been in the fortuitous position of having its 'sister' team - Toro Rosso, AlphaTauri, and now RB - to trial young blood before promoting to the senior outfit, unlike other teams.
Nevertheless, Marko has applauded Mercedes boss Toto Wolff for giving Kimi Antonelli a shot at F1 next year after his remarkable rise, whilst Williams has blooded Franco Colapinto this season after axing Logan Sargeant, although the Argentinian does not have a full-time drive for next year.
Marko's comments stem from the fact Liam Lawson is being given the final six grands prix of this year to prove himself after a decision was taken to drop veteran Daniel Ricciardo.
"We will evaluate how he compares to Yuki Tsunoda and then we will see what happens," said Marko, via his Speedweek column.
"He must deliver a performance worthy of Formula 1, as he has done in his previous GP appearances", before then reminding Lawson that Ayumu Iwasa and Isack Hadjar are waiting in the wings should he falter.
Turning to the use of junior drivers in F1 overall, Marko added: "The GP appearances of Oliver Bearman, and especially Franco Colapinto, have shown the youngsters are ready for the step up and that the old philosophy of some team bosses that you can only promote drivers with three or four years of experience to a top team is outdated.
"Mercedes has now proven this with its driver decision, just as Red Bull Racing has done several times in the past, so you can rely on the youth. There is a certain risk, but it is manageable and it is worth it."
Marko feels more needs to be done at grassroots level to give talented youngsters a chance but whose progress is stymied by the exorbitant costs of racing, even in karting, and has called on the FIA to play a leading part in making motorsport more accessible.
"You have to give the youngsters a chance so that they can prove themselves in the GP car after they have climbed the junior ladder," insisted Marko.
"This is basically fine, but unfortunately far too expensive. It starts with karting and continues through all classes.
"The FIA should start there and see how it can get the costs under control.
