Is Helmut Marko looking for drivers different from the profile of those tracked by the other teams? A former driver in Red Bull's junior program, Vitantonio Liuzzi, remembers the Austrian's approach and is not surprised it worked with Max Verstappen.
“I think Red Bull has a different approach. Marko had a different approach to drivers. They really want to see a driver who is ready to get into a Formula 1 car without making mistakes and be consistent.” Liuzzi said on the Inside Line F1 podcast.
“Marko was perfect for the brand. He wants to see drivers who are not afraid. You have to show balls, drivers who live on adrenaline and who are not afraid of anything. I think Max has a character similar to mine.”
“I remember when I signed for Red Bull it was because Marko got me into a Formula 3000, straight from karting, then straight into Formula 1 testing. Formula 3000 cars were very difficult to fly at the time.”
“I wasn't physically ready for it at all. I came back to the garage and said I found it physically difficult, but I got back in the car and did it again. That's why that Marko was enthusiastic, because I wasn't afraid.”
-The Italian recognizes that this is what makes the difference between Red Bull and its rivals: “He showed me that I always want more. That I always have to give 100% and control the car. I think there are similarities between Max and me that made him happy. Red Bull is a very different brand from other teams and they look at drivers very differently.”
