AlphaTauri

Tost denies Red Bull’s Mintzlaff sacked him

Published

4 weeks ago

May 4, 2023

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Franz Tost has hit back at the notion that he was sacked by Red Bull.

The 67-year-old has been in charge at Faenza, under both the Toro Rosso and Alpha Tauri identities, from almost the very outset some 17 years ago.

But many think it was Red Bull mogul Dietrich Mateschitz’s death last year, and the appointment of his successor Oliver Mintzlaff, that prompted the ousting of Tost and his impending replacement by Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies.

“Laurent started with us,” Tost said, “and I remember joking with him five, six or seven years ago ‘you have to go to another team now to be educated and learn something – and then you come back’.”

Early this year, Tost also insisted that he wouldn’t still be on the pitwall at the age of 70.

“I think it’s the best time to leave Formula 1,” he said, rejecting rumours that he is now a candidate to replace the newly 80-year-old Dr Helmut Marko.

“Helmut will be here another 80 years,” Tost joked.

As for his own departure, the Austrian denies he was sacked – even though Marko recently admitted Alpha Tauri needed to make clear changes to address sub-standard results both financially and competitively.

“It was my decision,” Tost insisted, “and it was taken two years ago.

“I discussed it with Dietrich at the time, because I am 67 and when I was younger I always said to myself that leaders shouldn’t stay glued to the seat.

“I’d rather give that job to younger people, smarter people, creative people, motivated people. Now that I am approaching my 70th year, it is time to say goodbye.

“I love Formula 1, but it’s a story that has to end, and especially now that with Peter Bayer as CEO and Laurent Mekies, we have two fantastic people who will replace me.”

2023 F1

AlphaTauri consider Ricciardo or Schumacher to replace De Vries

Published

2 weeks ago

May 15, 2023

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Nyck de Vries has been shown a “yellow card” and needs to improve, but the Dutchman will not yet be ousted.

That is the word from Dr Helmut Marko, the architect of Red Bull’s highly successful F1 driver program, following rumours a decision has already been taken to axe the 28-year-old rookie from Alpha Tauri.

“Nothing will happen in the next three races,” Marko, 81, told Sport1.

“But we have spoken to de Vries and he agrees with us – he needs to improve. The gap to his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who is doing a great job, is too big.

“To use football jargon, Nyck got the yellow card but not the red card yet. If he improves, a driver change will not be an issue,” Marko added.

But even if de Vries is ousted from the Red Bull-owned junior team, his replacement will not be 2023 Red Bull reserve Daniel Ricciardo.

“If worst comes to worst, we would fall back on our pool of young talent,” said Marko. “Specifically, Liam Lawson and Ayumu Iwasa.

“Ricciardo is not an issue,” he added.

New Zealander Lawson, 21, is currently in the Japanese open wheeler series Super Formula, while the similarly-aged Japanese Iwasa is third overall in this year’s Formula 2 championship.

Marko said Mick Schumacher is not being considered.

“He’s a Mercedes driver and he’s not in our plans,” he insisted. “Toto Wolff is responsible for him.”

According to Sport1, however, Schumacher could have a chance later this year at Williams, which is now headed by Wolff’s former deputy James Vowles.

Correspondent Ralf Bach wrote: “The Mercedes engine customer does not seem to be happy with the performance of the newcomer Logan Sargeant.”

2023 F1

Potential Replacement: Ricciardo to step in if de Vries doesn’t improve

Published

2 weeks ago

May 12, 2023

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There are strong indications that the Australian Daniel Ricciardo may make a remarkable comeback to the Formula 1 grid.

Various reputable media outlets, including Germany’s prominent newspaper Bild, are reporting that Dutch newcomer Nyck de Vries is facing the possibility of losing his newly acquired full-time seat at Alpha Tauri.

According to other sources, the 28-year-old de Vries could be replaced as early as the Imola race, with either Red Bull reserve driver Ricciardo or the much younger Liam Lawson, who is currently competing in Super Formula in Japan, being considered for the seat.

It has been reported that Ricciardo, 33, has already undergone a seat fitting in Faenza, while some sources suggest that de Vries has been given at least three more races to demonstrate improvement.

“The performance has been disappointing so far,” an unnamed Red Bull source is quoted by the Dutch publication Formule 1 in reference to de Vries.

“If (Helmut) Marko thinks someone else can do better, he won’t fail to give them a chance.”

Some believe Ricciardo is actually less likely than 21-year-old New Zealander Lawson of potential securing de Vries’ seat, although Ricciardo is gearing up to test Red Bull’s 2023 car in the post-British GP Pirelli tyre test.

“There could perhaps be another one after Monza in September,” Italy’s Autosprint quotes Ricciardo as saying.

As for top Red Bull official Marko, he is ruling out a scenario in which Ricciardo could replace Sergio Perez to become Max Verstappen’s teammate in 2024.

“Checo signed a two-year contract and that also includes 2024,” Marko told RTL.

“With the performance that he delivers, there’s nothing to be said against him – on the contrary,” added the 80-year-old Austrian.

“He also has an incredible following in Mexico and other parts of South America.”

2023 F1

Alpha Tauri’s top speed is terrible – Yuki Tsunoda

Published

2 months ago

April 13, 2023

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The Japanese F1 youngster, Yuki Tsunoda is expecting Alpha Tauri’s car to struggle even more than ever on the streets of Baku for Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

With rookie Nyck de Vries still getting up to speed, Japanese Tsunoda’s one point is all the Red Bull-owned team has to boast so far in 2023.

“Our top speed is terrible,” he is quoted by Speed Week.

Indeed, a look at the stats from Melbourne shows that Tsunoda’s top speed of 314.2kph in the second sector compared with the similarly Honda-powered Sergio Perez’s Red Bull of 339.9kph.

“Baku will be cruel for us because we’re so slow on the straights,” said the 22-year-old.

“We will probably have to drive without a rear wing in Azerbaijan,” he joked.