If I were Toro Rosso drivers Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari, I'd be watching my back very closely right now. An indifferent opening to the season for the pair has seen them on the cusp of the F1 fraternity, particularly Alguersuari. Although Buemi is perhaps a tad inconsistent, he has managed to score points in three of the first six races, a feat which his Spanish team mate does not look like equalling. More worryingly for young Jaime, World Series by Renault and Toro Rosso's third driver Daniel Ricciardo is showing superb pace in Friday's free practice sessions, putting him under further pressure. In truth, I cannot see Alguersuari lasting past the 2011 season and his departure will be indicative of the ferocious nature of the Red Bull young driver programme.
Mark Webber's eventual departure from the Red Bull setup will be a watershed moment for the team. Red Bull entered F1 in 2005 after buying out the Jaguar team and immediately placed one of their backed drivers, Christian Klien, alongside the vastly experienced David Coulthard. Despite his early promise both at Jaguar and Red Bull, Klien was shipped out of the team towards the end of 2006 and replaced by Webber. Employing two very quick drivers who were proven in F1 allowed the team to head in the right direction in terms of development. Meanwhile, Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz explored further avenues in F1 and purchased the cash-strapped Minardi team prior to the 2006 season. Named Toro Rosso, it would be the breeding ground for upcoming Red Bull backed drivers and would allow Dr. Helmut Marko, founder of the Red Bull junior programme, to conclude whether they could hold their own in the cut and thrust of F1.
Tonio Liuzzi (although still in F1) and Scott Speed fell by the wayside under the stewardship of Giorgio Ascanelli and Gerhard Berger but in 2006 the first gem of Marko's programme announced himself to the F1 world. Sebastian Vettel, quick as a tester for BMW Sauber, was drafted in for the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2007 to replace Speed and the rest is history. His victory the following year at Monza was met with more than a hint of irony. The B team had upstaged the A team, and Mateschitz probably wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. Truth is, I believe he was more than pleased. Vettel's win indicated that the need for experienced heads was not a necessity within either Red Bull team anymore. It was time for Vettel to make the step up.
He did so in almost effortless fashion and despite endless bad luck, along with more than a degree of petulance, took his and Red Bull's first world title last season. You may feel I am going off an a tangent here but stay with me. Vettel's win signalled that Marko's programme had achieved its holy grail and if one of their drivers was capable of ruling the pinnacle of motor sport, why not others? Red Bull's annus mirabilis in 2010 will not be considered a one off and there will be immense pressure on all of their young drivers to step up to the plate.
I say young drivers because, as he has said himself, Webber doesn't share a close emotional bond with Marko. Nevertheless, Webber's contribution, as well as that of Coulthard's, cannot be underestimated in light of Red Bull's current position at the top of F1. I mean, Coulthard stepped aside for Vettel so who knows how DC would have faired in the RB5 in 2009. However, going back to the topic of this post, Webber's eventual departure from the Red Bull team will be a momentous moment. Not only because the Australian is a highly popular fellow, but the fact that in my view only Red Bull protégés will be given a chance in Mateschitz's two teams.
There is nothing wrong with that, of course; that is what the programme was initiated for. However, the pressure on young drivers to immediately succeed in F1 will be enormous. Take Brendon Hartley, the young New Zealand driver, for example: he was Red Bull test and reserve driver and team-mate to Ricciardo in the World Series, but was dropped from the junior programme after some inconsistent performances. It is really that tough.
This is why I believe that Alguersuari may be ditched mid-season. He himself was drafted in at the expense of Sebastien Bourdais two years ago and needs to up his game. Could Ricciardo take his place, or does he have his eye on Webber's seat at the senior team given his deal is set to expire at the end of 2011? If he was overlooked, along with Buemi, by Red Bull it would be a damaging blow for the junior programme. If they somehow managed to lure Lewis Hamilton to the team, or say maybe Kamui Kobayashi or Nico Rosberg, what would that say for the current crop of young drivers? I personally do not think Webber will want to quit at the end of the season, but will he be forced to? Who knows, but time will tell whether Marko has any more hidden gems.
Josh.
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