Becoming a part of the Red Bull driver’s development program is incredible. The young drivers become a part of a world-class team with similar facilities and equal opportunities. Joining the Red Bull family also gets the drivers’ oversight and mentorship from experts like Helmut Marko.

Marko, the boss of the Red Bull Junior Team, keeps a close eye on all potential racers. This oversight from the former racing driver is extremely beneficial as well. Current AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda will attest to this fact.

Talking to Motorsport.com, Tsunoda, the Japanese driver, opened up about his relationship with Red Bull’s advisor. “I can say about that, we have a good relationship. I also see him as a friend and mentor, not just a boss. In 50 per cent of the time we talk about things off the track and 50 per cent about racing,” he explained. (Translated by Google)

“We understand each other. He took care of me since I was in the training program. That’s why I’m also a Formula 1 driver today. I could never have done it without Marko. Yes, we have a good relationship.”

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The 79-year-old is not like any usual mentor and often calls the drivers early in the morning. Tsunoda has experienced the same and revealed, “Several times, he contacted early in the morning.”

However, Daniel Ricciardo, the former Red Bull man, revealed his way of dealing with the early morning calls.

Daniel Ricciardo passes on his tactics to deal with the Red Bull boss

The early morning phone calls were routine for all F1 drivers associated with the Red Bull family. However, not all drivers were receptive to the phone calls as Tsunoda.

Ricciardo, the former Red Bull man, had his own way of dealing with the call. He revealed, “You answer (the call) like (mimics panting) I’m at the gym, I’ll call you back later.”

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Interestingly enough, Ricciardo was passing on this tactic to the then-teammate Max Verstappen. Verstappen has passed this on to his once-teammate Alex Albon as well.

The tactic is yet to reach its sister team, it seems. Until then, it’s early morning check-ups from Helmut Marko for the AlphaTauri men.