Ex-Red Bull Boss Shares the Key Race That Secured ...

Ex-Red Bull Boss Shares the Key Race That Secured …read more

Franz Tost, the former team principal of Red Bull’s junior Formula 1 team, has shed light on a crucial race performance that convinced him of Max Verstappen’s future in the sport. Tost, who led Toro Rosso (later known as AlphaTauri and now Racing Bulls) for nearly two decades, played a significant role in bringing Verstappen into the Red Bull fold. During his time in charge, Tost oversaw the development of several talented drivers, but Verstappen remains the most prominent success story.

Max Verstappen, now a four-time Formula 1 World Champion, began his journey with Red Bull’s junior team in 2015. At just 17 years old, he made his debut at the Australian Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver ever to compete in Formula 1. Tost, who was instrumental in offering Verstappen that opportunity, recently reflected on the key moment he realized the young Dutchman was destined for greatness.

Appearing on the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Tost recalled the race that sealed Verstappen’s future in F1. According to Tost, it wasn’t just raw speed that impressed him, but a combination of maturity, racecraft, and composure that echoed traits found in legendary drivers like Michael Schumacher. He described how Verstappen, even as a teenager, displayed incredible control and intelligence behind the wheel—far beyond what was expected for his age.

The performance that stood out to Tost took place during Verstappen’s pre-F1 career, where his ability to handle pressure and outmaneuver seasoned drivers made him a standout candidate for the jump to the top tier of motorsport. Despite skepticism about Verstappen’s age and inexperience, Tost championed his promotion, believing he had the natural talent to succeed.

Tost’s faith in Verstappen was quickly rewarded. After joining Toro Rosso in 2015, Verstappen made an immediate impact with his aggressive yet calculated driving style. It wasn’t long before he was promoted to Red Bull Racing, replacing Daniil Kvyat mid-season in 2016. Verstappen then won his first race for the senior team at the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest F1 race winner in history.

Now in his 10th season in Formula 1, Verstappen has firmly established himself as one of the sport’s modern greats. His dominance has helped Red Bull secure consecutive Constructors’ Championships in 2022 and 2023. However, the 2025 season has started on a shaky note for Verstappen and the Red Bull team. The RB21 has proven to be a difficult car to manage, and Verstappen’s frustration has been evident.

As a result, rumors have emerged suggesting Verstappen may be considering a departure from Red Bull—or even from F1 altogether. Though still under contract, speculation has increased amid reports of tension within the team and dissatisfaction with the current car’s performance. For a driver who has been at the peak of the sport for several years, such speculation underscores the challenges that come with prolonged success.

Nonetheless, Franz Tost remains proud of the role he played in launching Verstappen’s F1 career. He emphasized that talent like Verstappen’s is incredibly rare and that his early instincts about the young driver’s potential have been thoroughly validated. Drawing comparisons with past legends, Tost sees Verstappen as a once-in-a-generation racer whose career still holds much promise—despite recent struggles.

As the season progresses, the F1 world will be watching closely to see how Verstappen and Red Bull respond to their current challenges. For now, Tost’s reflections serve as a powerful reminder of how a single race can define a driver’s future—and how early belief in raw talent can shape the course of motorsport history.