After a tumultuous Russian Grand Prix for Red Bull racing, Team Principal Christian Horner decided it was right to make a change. The four-time world champions saw both their drivers finish outside the points for the first time in 2016, and just the third time in the past three seasons.
For Horner and Red Bull head of development Helmut Marko, it wasn’t just the finishing positions, but the nature of the results.
Their 22-year-old Russian driver, Daniil Kvyat, failed to get on the brakes quick enough into the second turn in Sochi, hitting Sebastian Vettel for the second time in as many races and concurrently causing major damage to his teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
Just a turn later, after Kvyat made even more egregious contact with the former Red Bull driver, the German’s race was finished. Vettel went back to the pit lane and promptly gave Horner an earful about his young battering ram.
The fallout for Kvyat, after his embarrassment of a Sunday in front of his home fans, came swiftly and brutally. Red Bull announced he had been demoted back to their sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso and would be replaced by 18-year-old Max Verstappen.
Verstappen is a Formula One prodigy — he’s Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews rolled into one. Son of a former driver, Verstappen impressed in his rookie season scoring 49 points including two fourth-place finishes. His breathtaking moves even earned him overtake of the year for his daring maneuver on Felipe Nasr in Belgium.
His promotion to Red Bull addresses many issues currently facing the team, even at the cost of a lashing from fans on their handling of Kvyat.
Most importantly, it takes Verstappen off the driver market. It’s no secret the teenager was a hot commodity coming out of the Red Bull developmental program, receiving attention from both Mercedes and Ferrari. A pay raise, new car and extended contract will simmer the rumours of Verstappen eyeing a move away from the Austrian team.
Helmut, who had been skeptical of Kvyat even after he outscored Ricciardo last season, wanted to address the second car in the team behind the Australian. Kvyat’s glaring lack of race pace and poor qualifying results brought to question his spot in the team. After all, the then sophomore had been rushed into his seat after Vettel jumped ship to Ferrari in 2014 and never seemed to settle in.
The move also solves the bubbling tensions within the Toro Rosso garage. Reported shouting matches between Verstappen and now ex-teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. divided the team, causing rifts throughout race weekends.
The Verstappens, both father and son, had voiced displeasure during their time with Toro Rosso. Bringing Kvyat back to a team he’s familiar with and had success with on a small stage curbs some of the problems for both outfits.
Ricciardo, who was launched into the spotlight with three race wins for Red Bull in 2014, now has a new teammate. Verstappen’s unique, dynamic style adds a dimension to their garage they were severely in need of to push their No. 1 driver.
Against Vettel in 2014, Ricciardo scored 71 more points and broke out, spurred on by the healthy competition with his teammate. Kvyat’s struggles and general demeanour didn’t add to the fire of competition that can create great teams, and specifically world champions.
“Max has proven to be an outstanding young talent. His performance at Toro Rosso has been impressive so far and we are pleased to give him the opportunity to drive for Red Bull Racing,” Horner said in a statement on the Red Bull site. “We are in the unique position to have all four drivers across Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso under long term contracts with Red Bull, so we have the flexibility to move them between the two teams.”
Verstappen’s opportunity is one fans have been salivating for since the Dutchman broke into the sport last year, setting the record for youngest points scorer at 17 years and 180 days.
“Together with Red Bull Racing we’ll do everything to prepare me as best as possible for my first laps in the RB12 Tag Heuer, next week in Barcelona. I cannot wait for that special moment to happen,” Verstappen told the Red Bull site before the Spanish Grand Prix this coming weekend.
Red Bull’s move sets a new precedent for their drivers for years to come, but most importantly it fuels the drama of the sport. In a season which looks to be another 1-2 for Mercedes, the progression of auto racing’s budding superstar is a pleasant distraction from the monotony of Nico Rosberg’s glorified test sessions. If Verstappen can take it to Ricciardo and propel a subpar Red Bull car up to the podium places consistently, the sky is the limit for the kid known as “Mad Max.”
