He wants to become the new Sebastian Vettel

The promotion to Red Bull's junior program entails a visit to the headquarters of the billion-dollar beverage company. Previously in Graz, the Hamburg native, who has been a junior in Max Verstappen's world champion team since October 2023, also met Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who has already promoted Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.

"It was definitely an eye-opener. It's special to be in Graz for the first time for a meeting with Dr. Marko, then to look around the headquarters in Fuschl am See for the first time and to wear the Red Bull cap and clothes for the first time. Of course, you're proud of that," said Tramnitz.

Tramnitz and the “hard school” The 19-year-old moved up to Formula 3 this year and is in eleventh place with the Dutch racing team MP Motorsport ahead of the season finale this weekend in Monza. The top five would actually have been his goal. He had the racing pace for that. However, Tramnitz is still lacking in qualifying, i.e. delivering an optimal lap as if at the push of a button.

Tim Tramnitz wants to reach the top. © Tim Tramnitz

Marko, who is known for his straightforwardness, will have told him that too. His relationship with him is good, emphasised Tramnitz. "But it's also a tough school." It has "always helped when people told me directly what they thought and what I should do better," said Tramnitz, who has put training as a vehicle mechatronics engineer on hold for the time being. "I've experienced that in Formula 4. It's tough sometimes, but also very helpful."

“Unfortunately, it is an extremely expensive sport” Without the support of Red Bull, Tramnitz would not have been able to afford the move up to Formula 3. The foundation of Formula 1 is extremely expensive, and it cannot be done without sponsors. For a season in Formula 4, you need to raise at least 500.000 euros, while in Formula 3, you can get over a million euros. "Of course, it always depends on the package and which team you are with. Unfortunately, it is an extremely expensive sport," said Tramnitz, who impressed Red Bull with his performance.

The company can be a career accelerator, but it does not tolerate lows. "Always step on the gas," was Marko's advice at the meeting in Graz. Tramnitz is trying to put this into practice. He also receives regular feedback from Guillaume Rocquelin, known as "Rocky," who used to be Vettel's racing engineer and now heads Red Bull's junior academy.

Racing across the neighbor's field "Working in Milton Keynes with the engineers in the simulator and with Rocky is so helpful. You can get a lot out of a normal conversation, which can make a huge difference," said Tramnitz, himself a huge Vettel fan. "I didn't have this kind of support before. It's amazing."

Tim Tramnitz is currently racing in Formula 3.

Tramnitz grew up in Hamburg-Bergedorf. At the age of five he got a real quad bike - and raced around the neighbor's field. His father Jürgen then found out from the local ADAC club about a kart that no one was using. So Tramnitz drove around cones in the parking lot before the vehicles became bigger and more powerful.

Will Formula 2027 happen in 1? Ralf Schumacher knows Tramnitz from before because he drove in his kart team and later in Formula 4. He "certainly has potential", but always needs time to show his performance consistently.

But you don't have much time to prove yourself in Formula racing. Especially if you want to get to the top. "My plan would be to be in Formula 2027 in 1. Preferably as early as possible," said Tramnitz, whose mother Stephanie is rarely at the track out of concern for her son. "But you also have to be realistic. As soon as you're in Formula 2, you have one or two years at most to deliver performance. If you need a third year, it's actually almost impossible to get a place, to be honest. So hopefully 2027, 2028 at the latest."

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He wants to become the new Sebastian Vettel

In Fuschl am See in the Salzkammergut, Tim Tramnitz could already feel quite close to his dream of Formula 1.

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