Franz Tost, AlphaTauri’s team principal, remains unperturbed by concerns that Formula 1 may lose its allure due to the recent dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull.
The Milton Keynes squad has enjoyed a spectacular start to the 2023 F1 season, claiming victory in every race with Verstappen and Sergio Perez, establishing a commanding lead of 135 points in the Constructors’ Championship.
Despite some spectators labeling the series as “boring” due to Red Bull’s overwhelming success, Tost holds a different perspective.
When questioned about his apprehensions regarding F1 amidst Red Bull’s dominant phase, Tost told Austrian outlet OE24: “No. No matter where we go, we are sold out at almost all race tracks, as we were at the Austrian GP, by the way.”
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
Tost believes that the decline in ratings in Germany and Austria is primarily attributed to the absence of national heroes.
Reflecting on the impact of drivers like Michael Schumacher in Germany and Fernando Alonso in Spain, Tost emphasized their ability to generate increased viewership.
He remarked: “When I came to Germany in 1988, Formula 1 was a marginal topic. Then Michael Schumacher came, and the ratings shot up. The same in Spain with Alonso.”
READ: Daniel Ricciardo compares Oscar Piastri to Lando Norris
Discussing the key factors behind Verstappen’s success, Tost highlighted the exceptional car built by Red Bull and their remarkable technical team.
He noted: “Red Bull built him a super good car, and [the team] has a sensational technical team. That and his exceptional skills make the perfect combination. Nobody even comes close.”
Regarding the possibility of Red Bull winning every race in the 2023 season, Tost admitted: “From a performance point of view: Yes! But nothing is certain.” While acknowledging their dominance, he emphasized the unpredictable nature of the sport.