Helmut Marko reveals the ‘ultimate test’ that Red Bull put Max Verstappen through during the 2014 Suzuka event

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Helmut Marko reveals the ‘ultimate test’ that Red Bull put Max Verstappen through during the 2014 Suzuka event

Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen and Christian Horner (Via: IMAGO)

Red Bull’s senior advisor, Helmut Marko has recently opened up about, how Red Bull made Max Verstappen drive at the free practice of Suzuka in 2014, to test his potential. Marko was aware of Verstappen’s talent and thus believed it was a perfect moment to test it. 

Barely at the age of 17 and three days, Max Verstappen did the free practice in Suzuka. Everyone was aware of his talent, including Mercedes who at the time couldn’t guarantee a direct step up into F1 to the Dutchman, however, Red Bull could. In 2014, the Austrian outfit announced the signing of Verstappen as a driver for Toro Rosso (VCARB) for 2015.

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While talking about the moment Red Bull decided to put Verstappen through a test, Marko added the following. 

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We very deliberately held that first practice on Suzuka as a kind of ultimate test for Max. That is one of the toughest circuits on the entire calendar for young drivers and gave us a good chance to see how Max would perform in difficult conditions.
Hemut Marko told: Autosport

In 2016, the Dutchman officially joined Red Bull, and now has three championship titles to his name. Max Verstappen, as of this moment remains an unbeatable force on the grid. He now holds three Grand Prix wins in Suzuka as well where his F1 career began. 

Max Verstappen opens up about his experience of driving in F1 for the first time

As indicated earlier, the reigning champion, Max Verstappen joined Torro Rosso in 2015. However, during the Japanese GP in 2014, he had the opportunity of driving in F1 for the very first time. Verstappen still remembers that moment very well.

Max Verstappen (via IMAGO).
Max Verstappen (via IMAGO).

While talking about the whole experience, Verstappen had the following to add.

I remember well that at the end of that session, there were flames coming out of my car so that all went well. But no, no kidding: it was a good session. It might not have been easy to get a very first F1 appearance straight away at Suzuka, but Red Bull was keen for me to start there. I remember very well when I drove out for the first time, I was surprised how much power I suddenly had.
Max Verstappen via: Autosport

Unfortunately, with Jules Bianchi’s fatal crash, the weekend didn’t end well. Verstappen’s outing came to an end quite early. Red Bull from the very beginning caught wind of the the latter’s tremendous talent and because of their efforts, is now reaping its rewards. Verstappen has been on a menacing run under the current set of Fe regulations.

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