- AlphaTauri has been in Formula 1’s midfield but has regressed since new regulations were introduced in 2022.
- AlphaTauri CEO Peter Bayer outlined that there are greater sponsorship and marketing possibilities between the two teams and is keen to see a pathway for young engineers and mechanics.
- AlphaTauri F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda: "I think lots of stronger connection between Red Bull, so it should be better overall.”
AlphaTauri is poised to be rebranded for the 2024 Formula 1 season and will form a closer long-tern alliance with Red Bull Racing.
Red Bull has owned the operation since 2005, initially branding the team Toro Rosso, before rebranding it as AlphaTauri prior to 2020, as the company sought to promote its fashion arm.
AlphaTauri has been in Formula 1’s midfield but has regressed since new regulations were introduced in 2022, and is currently last in this year’s championship. AlphaTauri’s future was placed in doubt following the death last year of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz but the current shareholders have ruled out a sale and are eager to restructure the outfit.
The team is set to form a closer alliance with Red Bull Racing, sharing components where permitted under Formula 1’s technical regulations, and create
While AlphaTauri’s factory is in Faenza, Italy, it is due to relocate its current UK base, which houses its aero team and vehicle performance group, to a bigger unit in order to attract more senior engineers. It has outgrown its existing facility in Bicester and is eager to move into new premises both for performance purposes and for a better quality of work for personnel.
New AlphaTauri CEO Peter Bayer addressed the media for the first time on Friday, at the end of his first month at the squad, and outlined the team’s vision.
“Clearly what the shareholders want to see is we maximize the opportunities and the synergies between the two teams,” he said. “That’s starting on the technical side, it’s clearly defined in the technical regulations what we can do in terms of exchanging parts and how we can collaborate, but we believe there is a lot more.”
Bayer outlined that there are greater sponsorship and marketing possibilities between the two teams and is keen to see a pathway for young engineers and mechanics. The outfit’s long-standing philosophy of selecting young drivers, with the prospect of graduating to Red Bull Racing, will also be retained. Bayer is hopeful that current Ferrari Sporting Director Laurent Mekies will be able to take up his role of AlphaTauri team principal, replacing Franz Tost, by January 2024.
A name change is in the pipeline for the 2024 season but it remains a work in progress.
“Part of that rebranding exercise and establishing a set of values and a portfolio of this team is obviously discussing with a couple of sponsors, and with those sponsors we are offering them and we are discussing the option of also having a title partnership of the team,” he said.
“Unfortunately, as we are bound by NDAs, we cannot discuss any details but yes we are actively discussing title partnerships with partners to move forward.
“Currently we have Scuderia AlphaTauri, that’s a deal that’s valid and functioning, and we are very proud until the end of this year, as that one is running out, we are discussing with them [AlphaTauri], discussing with others, the options of moving forward.”
The developments have been backed by Yuki Tsunoda, who has raced for AlphaTauri since 2021.
“We saw in the last two years (performance) was not really in the place that we wanted, especially from last year,” said Tsunoda. “I think, well, probably (Red Bull motorsport advisor) Helmut (Marko) thought that we need to change something. I think he did give us a chance, one more year, and it didn’t improve much. I think it’s a good thing anyway, having a lot more connection between Red Bull and AlphaTauri. Probably it should be like that from probably three years ago, but anyway. I’m feeling optimistic. I think lots of stronger connection between Red Bull, so it should be better overall.”
