The stat that shows the success of Red Bull's junior programme
Eight of the 20 drivers of the 2025 F1 grid have been former Red Bull juniors, which shows how successful the Austrian company's young driver programme has been over the years.
The Red Bull Junior Team was formed in 2001 as Red Bull's European driver programme. The Red Bull Junior Team was also the name of RSM Marko, a team that competed in International Formula 3000 between 1999 and 2003, sponsored by Red Bull and run by Helmut Marko.
In 2004, Christian Klien became the first Red Bull Junior to race in Formula One, while in 2008, Sebastian Vettel became the first Red Bull Junior to win a Formula One Grand Prix, the Italian Grand Prix. Two years later, in 2010, Vettel became the first Red Bull Junior graduate to win the Formula One World Championship.
The aim of the Red Bull Junior Team is to identify and develop talent in open-wheel racing. Members of the Junior Team are financed and sponsored by Red Bull in kart racing and junior formulae.
Five graduates—Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz Jr.—have won a Formula One Grand Prix, whilst Vettel and Verstappen have won the World Drivers' Championship a combined eight times.
The success of the Red Bull's junior drivers' programme is highlighted by the fact that forty percent of the 2025 F1 grid - eight out of 20 drivers - are former Red Bull juniors.
Max Verstappen will be partnered by Liam Lawson in the upcoming season. Former Red Bull driver Alex Albon will continue to driver for Williams, partnered by former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who was also part of the Red Bull Academy.
Alpine will continue to compete with Pierre Gasly, who will be partnered by Jack Doohan, with both drivers having been part of the Red Bull family.
Yuki Tsunoda will continue to race for the Faenza-based Racing Bulls teams, and he will be teamed up with Isack Hadjar, who drove a Red Bull-liveried car in Formula 2 last season.
