'Verstappen and Sainz best-ever Toro Rosso lineup'

  • Published on 11 Dec 2015 09:56
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra

One bright spot in Red Bull's otherwise-difficult 2015 campaign was the discovery of meteoric junior Max Verstappen. That is the claim of Dr Helmut Marko, who said Verstappen alongside fellow rookie Carlos Sainz made up what is "definitely" the best ever Toro Rosso lineup. "They both surpassed all expectations," the Austrian told Auto Motor und Sport. "Both are very fast. Perhaps Verstappen is a touch more aggressive but Sainz had much more bad luck with the car."

What is a blessing for Red Bull, however, is also a problem. With Daniel Ricciardo, Daniil Kvyat, Verstappen and Sainz all performing well, the energy drink stable will now struggle to find places for its next generation. "We will look at that when we have to," said Marko. "There is still plenty of time."

One solution could be that Dutchman Verstappen is poached by a rival top team like Mercedes and Ferrari, who are obviously interested in the 18-year-old. "No. We always make multi-year contracts," Marko insisted. "What is interesting is that the very people who said employing a 17-year-old is dangerous and irresponsible are now suddenly supporting him."

More generally, Marko admitted that 2015 was very difficult for Red Bull's senior team, with owner Dietrich Mateschitz almost pulling the plug. "We spend a lot of money on F1," said Marko. "We have two teams, a grand prix, we promote young talent. The boss (Mateschitz) sees spectator interest dramatically down and then we had our engine situation. If it had not been for the hope that there are changes coming for better engines and chassis, then we would have almost certainly gone," he added. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 2,056
  • Podiums 79
  • Grand Prix 165
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (25)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar