F1: Red Bull to Reduce Junior Driver Roster to Ensure Retaining Best Prospects

Christian Horner - F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands - Practice

(Photo : Mark Thompson/Getty Images) ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS - Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner looks on from the pitwall during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on September 02, 2022 in Zandvoort, Netherlands.

Red Bull revealed its plans to scale back on the number of junior drivers under the meticulous management of advisor Helmut Marko.

The plan is part of a strategy for the energy drink company to shift attention to the lower steps of the motorsport's development ladder, per Red Bull Racing team principal and CEO Christian Horner.

The Red Bull Junior Team currently houses 12 drivers across multiple racing series, from karting all the way up to the FIA Formula 2 Championship. A careful roster reduction will ensure that only the best of the best remain.

The development program has produced some of the greatest drivers in the sport's history, with reigning two-time champion Max Verstappen and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel honing their skills from the academy.

Carlos Sainz Jr., Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, Daniel Ricciardo, and Yuki Tsunoda are among other current drivers on the grid from the program.

Red Bull Junior Team in question recently

The development program's effectiveness has been in question recently after Red Bull decided to sign Sergio Perez in 2021, the first Red Bull driver since Mark Webber in 2006 to have not graduated from their academy.

Gasly and Albon weren't able to live up to the expectations of Red Bull during their stints in the seat in 2019 and 2020, leading the team to sign the Mexican driver.

Marko also overlooked Red Bull junior drivers to sign Nyck de Vries from the Mercedes program when the AlphaTauri seat became vacant following Gasly's departure in 2022.