How has Verstappen persuaded Marko at the Norisring to sign him for 2015?

The now three-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen has established himself as a dominant form at the pinnacle of motorsport in recent years. Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko recalls the moment with which the Dutchman persuaded him to sign him for 2015.

Despite also considering an offer from Mercedes to join their driver development programme, Max Verstappen joined the Red Bull Junior Team after testing a Formula Renault 3.5 car in August 2014.

The Hasselt-born racer made his first outing at a race weekend at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, replacing Jean-Eric Vergne at Suzuka in the opening practice session at Toro Rosso. With 17 years and three days, Verstappen was the youngest person in history to participate in a Formula One race weekend.

Having impressed the Red Bull management, Verstappen was signed for the 2015 F1 season, joining Toro Rosso’s drivers’ line-up alongside Carlos Sainz to become the youngest driver to start a World Championship race at the age of 17 years, 166 days—breaking Jaime Alguersuari’s existing record by almost two years.

Reflecting the period in which Red Bull made the final decision, Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Dr. Helmut Marko revealed that the pivotal moment was the FIA F3 Norisring weekend, where Verstappen won all three races.

“We sat at a round table, in front of a coffee, in a room full of Verstappen. Max was still a minor, so the whole family had to sign.”

“I called Jos right away the next day, Max had been much faster than all the other drivers on the track in very difficult conditions, one stretch was wet, but then there were immediately other points on the track completely dry.”

Marko revealed that he was aware of the potential risk of signing such a young driver with very little experience, but Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz supported him too.

“The more the risk the higher the gain and the fun – added Marko – I warned Dietrich Mateschitz of the plan and he immediately agreed, then I called Franz Tost because we had to be immediately ready for Max.

“The first chance to get him driven was in Suzuka and in the light of such a convincing circuit I had no doubt that it was the perfect place for his first free practice session.”

“It was obvious that Verstappen would make mistakes. He would do it in F2 too, but I knew he was ready to race in F1 right away.”