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Ex-Red Bull junior hints at wrongful dismissal by Marko

19:01, 23 Feb

Updated: 19:51, 23 Feb

byShanna Lutgert

Former Red Bull junior Oliver Goethe opened up about his dismissal from the Austrian team. The German hinted that he didn’t find the decision entirely fair.

"Whether I'm with Red Bull or not, I'm going to give my absolute best."

- Oliver Goethe

Goethe was part of the Red Bull junior team from the end of 2023 through 2025. His results were closely monitored by former top advisor Helmut Marko. "Yes, I mean that happened around the first half of the season last year," Goethe told GPblog, among others, about the moment Red Bull parted ways with him. "I was missing some pace. Yes, I'm grateful for the opportunity they gave me.

"It's a shame that I was told, let's say, halfway through the season, and that's when I started to be quicker. So who knows what could have happened if they gave me a bit more time," Goethe continued.

"I don't necessarily think there's less pressure. I think there's always some pressure to get results. This is probably my last chance to make Formula 1."

GPblog reported earlier this year that Goethe and Tim Tramnitz would be leaving the Red Bull junior programme. Goethe will start his second year in Formula 2 and hopes to be in contention for an F1 seat. In any case, he makes it clear that the goal remains Formula 1 and that he will give everything this year to achieve it.

Oliver Goethe finished the year at Red Bull with a strange feeling - Photo: RacePictures

"This year, it's my second year. It's unrealistic to get a chance in your third year. For me, I'm just going to go out there and give it everything, like I always do. Whether I'm with Red Bull or not, I'm going to give my absolute best. I think opportunities will come if I get the results," Goethe emphasized. The youngster made his Formula 2 debut last year with MP Motorsport, where he had Richard Verschoor alongside him.

Goethe was able to learn a lot from the Dutchman: "I still have a great relationship with Richard. I learned a lot from him. He had a lot of experience in Formula 2 and he was a very quick driver. So, I was able to learn a lot from him and I'm grateful for all the help he's given me. Yeah, with Gabriele [Mini], we get along really well," he said about his new teammate.

Verschoor switches to endurance racing

As Goethe himself said, after his second year in Formula 2 it’s a case of ‘now or never’. For former teammate Verschoor, a full-time seat in Formula 1 wasn’t an option, but a new door opened to endurance racing. The Dutchman will drive this season in the European Le Mans Series in an LMP2 car. Would something like that be an option for Goethe?

"I have no idea what I would do if Formula 1 wasn't an option. I think there's different opportunities in endurance racing, IndyCar, Formula E, to make a living out of racing. So I honestly don't have like a specific backup, but depending on how the results are this year, then different opportunities will come about. Hopefully good ones. With the results, I want the opportunities to make it in Formula 1."