Marko makes revelation about Red Bull: 'We were negotiating with Alonso'

Marko: 'Selection of Verstappen and Vettel ran differently'

In a Red Bull video, Marko sometimes first sums up the great successes of the talent programme. "We had Daniel Ricciardo and Pierre Gasly, so two Grand Prix winners," says the 81-year-old Austrian. "Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel were also members of the Junior Team, but that went slightly differently. We did not contract them in the selection phase, but already in the observation phase."

"These are very young drivers, which means many of them here come straight from karting and have never been in a formula car before," Marko continued. "Then it's about how quickly you get used to a formula car, how quickly you improve in the formula car and how good the qualifying simulation is. You only do one lap with nine tyres, or maybe two in the formula car. All these criteria are tested, simulated and then analysed."

Marko: 'Red Bull was in negotiations with Alonso'

Red Bull's top advisor stresses that a lot has changed since Red Bull Racing - and also the Red Bull Junior Team - appeared on the scene 20 years ago. "We were no longer just sponsors, but sponsors who demanded that the drivers had the potential to become a future Grand Prix winner," he explains.

"That was also because of Dietrich Mateschitz's philosophy. We were negotiating with Fernando Alonso at the time, but he said we don't buy stars, we make them ourselves. Therefore, I think that is also a legacy. To continue with this philosophy and the incredible visionary and spiritual spirit that Mateschitz brought here," Marko said.

This article has been written in collaboration with Ben Stevens.