Red Bull Junior Team 2012
Two Red Bull Juniors made the step up to Formula 1 even before the turn of the year: Daniel RICCIARD(AUS) and Jean-Eric VERGNE (FRA) had won a total of seven titles for the junior team of the Red Bulls in the last few years and will drive for the Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2012.
The Red Bull Junior Team will again compete under the banner of efficiency in 2012, even though this time in less than four new talents have been taken into the team.
In addition to the two “old hands" Daniil KVYAT (RUS) and Carlos SAINZ jun. (ESP), four rookies have been scrutinized and deemed suited during a test in Estoril at the beginning of November will join the team.
The average age in the Red Bull Junior Team has been lowered considerably in 2012, thanks to the following new entries:
Alex ALBON (GBR), b. 23 March 1996, Formula Renault 2.0
Albon has won the most important karting championships the world over as a Red Bull athlete in the last few years – he became world and European champion in the KF3 category, among others.
Callan O’KEEFFE (RSA), b. 6 June 1996, Formula BMW Talent Cup
Three months Albon’s junior and hence the youngest Red Bull Junior in 2012. He will compete in the Formula BMW Talent Cup this year. O’Keeffe was the 2011 British kart champion and runner-up in the KF3 category.
Stefan WACKERBAUER (GER), b. 2 November 1995, Formula Renault 2.0
After a long time waiting another German up-and-coming driver will again join the Red Bull Junior Team. The 16 year old Bavarian is regarded as the biggest talent of the Federal Republic, winning the 2011 Formula BMW Talent Cup.
Lewis WILLIAMSON (GBR), b. 11 Nov. 1989, Formula Renault 3.5 Series
The 22 year old Scotsman ranks among the greatest talents in Britain and has been bestowed several awards owing this performances, for instance the 2010 McLaren Autosport Award and the BRDC Rising Star in 2009. Last year Williamson completed four races in the Red Bull Junior Team – as a replacement driver for Daniel Ricciardo in the World Series by Renault.
The two “old" Red Bull Juniors will compete as follows in 2012:
Daniil KVYAT (RUS), b. 26 April 1994, Formula Renault 2.0
Daniil will be on the starting grid of Formula Renault 2.0 for the Koiranen team just like the year before, fighting for the title.
Carlos SAINZ jun. (ESP), b. 01.09.1994, British F3 championship
The Formula Renault 2.0 champion will cross over to Britain – to the team of Carlin Motorsport in the British F3 championship that three Red Bull Juniors have already been able twin previously: Alguersuari, Ricciardo and Vergne.