Marko: 'Red Bull has bigger balls than Ferrari and Mercedes!'

When it comes to trusting young talent, Red Bull has been more daring than its front-running rivals says its motorsport boss Helmut Marko.

Through its expansive junior driver program, the energy drinks company has handpicked and primed many young hopefuls - like Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo - for the pinnacle of motorsport.

The latest exponent of the Red Bull Junior Team to reach the big time is Pierre Gasly whose full-time graduation to Formula 1 has yet to be announced. News is forthcoming however, according to Marko.

"I can tell you that pretty soon," the Austrian told Autosport.

On the subject of promoting young drivers, Marko who also took a dig at Red Bull's main rivals.

• 'Really useful' to finish the year in F1- Gasly

"Red Bull, in complete contrast to Ferrari and Mercedes, have balls, and we put young drivers in the car.

"So let's see. We have our ideas, and as soon as everything is finalised we will let you know."

Both Mercedes and Ferrari sustain their own young driver programs which have seen some outstanding talent emerge.

Mercedes promoted both Esteban Ocon and Pascal Wehrlein to Formula 1 last year, with both drivers channeled through Manor, and the former is regarded as one of the sport's most promising talents.

But there is no lack of fish in Ferrari's own talent pool, with Antonio Giovinazzi and the outstanding Charles Leclerc targeting a seat in F1 next season with Sauber.

Red Bull's junior outfit, Toro Rosso may part ways with another in-house talent, Dany Kvyat. The Russian is been benched for at least two races in order to give Gasly a run, but his chances of returning to the fray are fading.

With no other junior drivers in its system currently eligible or worthy of an F1 drive, could Red Bull resort to outside talent for a seat alongside Gasly next season, such as Marcus Ericsson, Jolyon Palmer or even Robert Kubica?

"We are Red Bull, we are different," says Marko. "It's difficult to imagine."

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