Helmut Marko revealed that an internal management battle ensued over Max Verstappen’s shock promotion to Red Bull in 2016, with team principal Christian Horner against the move at the time.

The 'Star is Born' cliche is oft misused, but 15 May 2016 Verstappen scored his first Grand Prix victory - much like Michael Schumacher's debut at Spa-Francorchamps on 25 August 1991, or Ayrton Senna at Monaco on 3 June 1984, or Lewis Hamilton winning in Montreal on 10 June 2007 - they are Formula 1's real Star is Born moments.

A decade on since Max made history, Marko revisited the dramatic decision to replace Daniil Kvyat with Verstappen after only four races of the 2016 season, admitting there was fierce resistance inside and outside the team to promoting the then 18-year-old Dutchman so quickly from Toro Rosso.

Recalling the chaos surrounding Red Bull’s driver reshuffle ahead of the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, Marko admitted Team Principal Christian Horner was firmly against the promotion at the time.

“Team Principal Christian Horner didn't agree with Max's promotion after just four races,” Marko told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: “He was against it, just like many rivals and critics who grilled me, arguing that Max was still too young and that the move was dangerous.”

Choosing Verstappen over Sainz was a clear and simple decision

Despite the backlash, Marko pushed ahead with the switch after Kvyat’s disastrous Russian Grand Prix, where the Russian collided twice with Sebastian Vettel on the opening lap.

Marko explained that Red Bull’s concerns: “The previous year, Kvyat had performed adequately, but in 2016 he was no longer the same driver and was complaining about the brakes from the first day of testing.

"Max's teammate, Carlos Sainz, was very disappointed that we didn't choose him, but for us it was a clear and simple decision," recalled the Austrian motorsport veteran.

Verstappen won on his Red Bull debut at Barcelona after surviving intense pressure from Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, while Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg eliminated each other on the opening lap.

The victory instantly silenced critics who had questioned whether Verstappen was too young for a top team seat.  Since that day in Spain ten years ago, Verstappen has gone on to score another seventy victories and four Formula 1 world champion titles.

History now shows Marko got it right, Horner nearly messed up big time.