Red Bull are known to bring in the best talent to the Formula One grid. Drivers such as Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz were part of the team’s driver program, but, as it turns out, it came at the cost of letting go of Jean-Éric Vergne.

The then-Toro Rosso driver explained how Sainz and Verstappen inadvertently got him kicked off the team. He recalled the conversation he had with the team advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, about being replaced by the Dutch driver.

Ex-F1 driver opens up about how Verstappen and Sainz accidentally kicked him off the team

The Milton-Keynes squad are known to be a bit ruthless when it comes to selecting their drivers. And through their program, they have got Sainz and Verstappen on the F1 grid. Vergne talks about the conversation he had with Marko when the two replaced him at the sister team.

Speaking on an episode of the podcast, Beyond the Grid, as quoted by Motorsport. Vergne said, “I got this call in the summer saying that I would be replaced by a younger driver, I knew it was Max Verstappen. And I was like kind of you know that’s the game, that there was no place in Red Bull.”

Trending

Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat

April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT

F1 Rumor: Adrian Newey to Join Ferrari, Leaving Red Bull Amid Christian Horner-Helmut Marko Fiasco

April 25, 2024 05:55 PM EDT

What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP

April 24, 2024 04:52 PM EDT

“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out

April 24, 2024 05:00 PM EDT

F1 Rumor: Christian Horner and Wife Geri to Publicly Reveal All Details on Leaked Chat Scandal

April 22, 2024 04:10 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

“Helmut Marko told me, “It’s over at the end of the year, so it was nice actually for him to tell me so early in the season, but at the same time it was probably my biggest problem that he told me so early.“

He added,“Franz Tost (director of Scuderia Toro Rosso) really wanted to keep me, because he wanted to have an experienced driver together with Max, but then once again Red Bull could have said ‘OK, we will keep Vergne at Toro Rosso’, but there was another very young rider and promising coming with Carlos Sainz. So they put him instead of Kvyat, that went to Red Bull Racing.”

Watch Story: When F1 Drivers Had a Blast on Top Gear Featuring Hamilton, Vettel & Ricciardo

Where are the two drivers from Red Bull’s program now?

Verstappen finds himself on the main team, alongside Sergio Perez. The Dutch driver is currently leading the championship and is having an intense battle with Lewis Hamilton for the 2021 title.

Meanwhile, Sainz is at Ferrari where he drives alongside Charles Leclerc. Max and Carlos find themselves with top teams on the grid and often put on a great battle during a Grand Prix weekend.

The next race on the Formula One calendar is the Mexican Grand Prix. What is your prediction for Sainz and Verstappen for the upcoming race? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

“Not Exactly Going to Have Dinner Together” – Max Verstappen on Lewis Hamilton Relationship Amidst Heated 2021 F1 Clashes