Special interest group: Becoming champions

Since 2001, upcoming driving talents are being formed in the Red Bull Junior Team. How effective that’s also been in 2008 can be seen in the interim balance sheet at the two-thirds of the season mark.

Twenty-five victories. Twenty-three pole positions. Twenty-two fastest lap times. This tally is not the balance from the last seven years but from two thirds of 2008, the eighth year since the founding of the Red Bull Junior Team in 2001. To every one of the 11 juniors from nine countries, hence the number game, almost five podiums can be ascribed.

Only Australian on the team the most successful driver

Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who’s competing in his first season as Red Bull Junior, has presented himself as the discovery of the year. Eight wins and as many fastest laps have been notched up by him alone. ‘I wanted to use the season to gather as much experience on the European courses as I possibly could,’ the 19-year-old said. ‘That it ran so beautifully right from the start, I didn’t even dream of hoping for.’ Ricciardo is currently leading in the Formula Renault 2.0 EC as well as the Formula Renault WEC.

Four other juniors in the overall top 3

And several of his team-mates are also in the running to win the championship. Daniel Juncadella, 17, with five podiums is currently second in the Formula BMW Europe. Sébastien Buemi, 19, is lurking in the wings of the GP2; Jaime Alguersuari, 18, in the Formula BMW UK, and Mika Mäki, 20, in the Formula 3 Euro Series, a few less points in arrears – all coming third.

Hartley just misses out on his first season victory

The youngest junior success, however, goes to New Zealand’s Brendon Hartley, 18, and Formula Renault Eurocup overall winner last year. On Saturday he didn’t lose his lead at the Formula 3 UK Silverstone race until the last lap, and raced across the finish line in second place.