Former Red Bull driver praises 'controversial' Helmut Marko strategy

Former Red Bull junior driver Pepe Martí has praised Helmut Marko’s "controversial" strategy, which saw the Austrian take “risky positions”.

Marko oversaw Red Bull’s junior development programme for over two decades before calling time on his career with the Milton Keynes-based outfit following last year’s season-ending race in Abu Dhabi.

Martí, who is managed by Fernando Alonso’s A14 Management company, joined the Red Bull junior programme in 2023, ahead of the Formula 3 finale at Monza.

He remained with Red Bull until last autumn, when he left the junior programme to take up a seat with Cupra Kiro in Formula E — scoring his first points on Saturday in Mexico City.

The Spaniard enjoyed a glittering junior career, claiming a race win in every category he competed in, including three Sprint race victories in Formula 2 last year.

Martí left Formula 2 mid-season to complete a move to Formula E after Red Bull opted to promote Arvid Lindblad to Formula 1, effectively shutting the door on the 20-year-old.

However, he holds no hard feelings towards Red Bull or Marko, with Martí insisting the pair shared a positive relationship.

Addressing his relationship with Marko, Martí told RacingNews365 during an interview: "I’ve had a really good relationship with Helmut for as long as I’ve been in the Red Bull Junior Team.

"Obviously, I ended up not performing to the level they wanted at Red Bull, and they chose another driver to race for them in Formula 1.

"But nonetheless, I’ve always had a good relationship with Red Bull, and Helmut was always really helpful to me — he truly looked out for me and wanted me to have a good career. When I said I was going to Formula E, he told me, ‘I wish you the best.’

"So, yeah, I have nothing against him. He’s been fantastic, and he’s helped a lot of talent shine in the motorsport world. Even those who haven’t made it to Formula 1 have gone on to become professionals elsewhere. So, yeah, nothing against him. He’s been fantastic, and he’s played a great role in my career."

Marko unique

Marko’s strategy of promoting young drivers and then axing them after little time to prove themselves has been judged as brutal on several occasions, most recently with Liam Lawson’s demotion to Racing Bulls after just two races for Red Bull.

However, as highlighted by Martí, Marko’s ruthless approach has resulted in the emergence of one of the greatest F1 drivers in the history of the sport: Max Verstappen.

Asked if Marko is one of a kind, Martí replied: "He takes risky positions, doesn’t he? Risk is always controversial, but controversy sometimes works.

"And in his case, he’s probably built or raised one of the best drivers in Formula 1 history, with Max [Verstappen]. So, yes, I think he’s done a great job in his role.

"Obviously, he’s known for being quite a hard chief, but he’s been very nice to me, and I wish him the best."