Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has revealed that AlphaTauri will establish a “closer working relationship” with Red Bull starting from the next Formula 1 season.
The decision comes in the wake of AlphaTauri’s struggles in recent years, culminating in their current position at the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship.
Historically, Toro Rosso, as the team was formerly known, had a more tightly integrated partnership with Red Bull Racing.
However, since the rebranding to AlphaTauri in 2020, the Faenza-based outfit has moved towards greater independence.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
Unfortunately, this shift has not yielded the desired results, with the team experiencing a decline in performance since the regulatory changes implemented in 2022.
In response to this stagnation, Red Bull is poised to bring about significant changes within AlphaTauri.
The most notable transformation will be the appointment of new leadership, with long-serving team principal Franz Tost set to retire.
Tost’s successor will be Laurent Mekies, a former Ferrari assistant team principal and race director.
Additionally, Peter Bayer, who previously held roles at the FIA and Formula 1, will assume the role of AlphaTauri’s CEO.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, highlighted the need for a closer partnership between the two teams and identified Mekies and Bayer as key figures to propel AlphaTauri forward.
“We will have a closer working relationship,” Horner shared.
“I was asked to identify a couple of candidates to get involved and create a new management team at AlphaTauri.
The two guys that I felt were right for the role were Peter and Laurent, I think they’ll make a strong team.”
This forthcoming alliance is not limited to personnel changes alone.
The teams intend to leverage the allowances provided by the FIA to enhance collaboration, potentially involving the sharing of technical insights and innovations.
“I think that the relationship, within the realms of what we’re able to do within the regulations, will become closer,” Horner continued.
“There are aspects of the car that AlphaTauri haven’t taken advantage of under what’s permitted under the supply rules previously.
READ: Lewis Hamilton praised after crashing into Oscar Piastri
“So I can only see the relationship between the two teams becoming ever closer.”
Furthermore, Red Bull’s senior advisor, Helmut Marko, has hinted at a possible rebranding for AlphaTauri, suggesting that a new team name is on the horizon.
Strong rumours have linked Hugo Boss to a potential title sponsorship deal, further signalling significant changes in the team’s identity and financial backing.