Red Bull junior driver Juri Vips has revealed what it is really like to work with team advisor Helmut Marko. Marko is in frequent contact with members of the squad's Junior Team, which includes Vips along with others such as fellow Formula 2 drivers Jehan Daruvala and Liam Lawson. Vips believes that the experience of working with Marko is different to how it may be perceived from the outside. "He is simpler than people think," Vips told Formula1.com . "He is going to put you under pressure, but if you are doing well, then he is very nice and very straightforward. Perform, and everything is good."
Red Bull Junior Team "want only the best talent"
The image of Marko and the Red Bull Junior Team taking a no-nonsense approach might have come about from the outfit's past changes to their line-up, in Formula 1 as well as in junior categories. In years gone by, a number of drivers have progressed through the ranks to reach F1 and race for the AlphaTauri squad, formerly known as Toro Rosso. However, many of these have found themselves without a seat in the sport after a brief spell with the team, including the likes of Scott Speed, Jaime Alguersuari and Jean-Eric Vergne. The outfit have also developed a reputation for some sudden driver changes, such as the demotion of Pierre Gasly from Red Bull back down to AlphaTauri in 2019. Daniil Kvyat suffered the same fate in 2016. Vips believes that Red Bull take the correct approach in ensuring that they have only the best talent in the team, though. "That is the thing with the Red Bull Junior Team: if you don't do well, then you might get kicked out, but if you do well, then you get to F1," the Estonian said. "They throw people out, yes. But why would you want to keep and pay drivers who are not going to be worthy of F1? "They want only the best talent and I think that’s the right approach. They keep the best and they give them the chance." Vips is also grateful for the financial backing that being in an F1 team academy provides. "I couldn’t have continued racing if it wasn't for Red Bull," he added. "They gave me this opportunity."
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