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AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 23: Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko looks on in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 23: Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko looks on in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Dr. Helmut Marko has been an enigma in Red Bull Racing, with many people sharing different experiences with him. The boss man has an eerie air around him; known for being a tough man to please. However, Red Bull junior driver Juri Vips disregards any negative opinion one may have towards the Red Bull boss.
Marko is known for his ruthless decisions regarding the likes of Alex Albon, Daniil Kvyat, and even Pierre Gasly. But Vips, an F2 racer making his way up the ranks, insists Marko’s personality is simply straightforward. “He is simpler than people think. He is going to put you under pressure, but if you are doing well, then he is very nice and very straightforward. Perform, and everything is good.”
BREAKING: Juri Vips stays with @HitechGP! 🙌
The @redbullracing junior will do a second successive F2 season with the team 👊#F2 #RoadToF1 pic.twitter.com/2cjyutizkq
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) January 14, 2022
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Marko also oversees the Red Bull Jr team, on the lookout for the next F1 star. Vips also considers Marko’s personality to be reflected within the workings of the team. “If you don’t do well, then you might get kicked out, but if you do well, then you get to F1. They throw people out, yes. But why would you want to keep and pay drivers who are not going to be worthy of F1? “
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Vips also added, “They want only the best talent and I think that’s the right approach. They keep the best and they give them the chance.”
Red Bull Juniors find success in feeder series
Juri Vips has been noticed as a frontrunner for a seat with AlphaTauri; the Estonian missed his opportunity, which was given to Yuki Tsunoda. Thus, the competition runs deep in the group as well.
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Life long dream accomplished today… What an unbelievable experience. Thank you @AlphaTauriF1 for this opportunity, something I’ll never forget 🙌🏽 #redbulljuniorteam #redbullracing pic.twitter.com/TLJQm9Eq3H
— Liam Lawson (@LiamLawson30) December 14, 2021
Currently, Vips will spend his second F2 season with Hitech GP. He finished the 2021 season standing sixth in the championship. His New Zealander peer, Liam Lawson, will leave Hitech and move to Carlin. Lawson ended his rookie F2 season in ninth in the championship.
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Jehan Daruwala will race in his third F2 season, leaving Carlin to join the reigning champions- PREMA. The team has seen the likes of Mick Schumacher and Oscar Piastri take the crown. He will be accompanied by fellow Red Bull protégé Dennis Hauger; the Norwegian rounded up an all-Red Bull lineup at PREMA.
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