It’s believed that AlphaTauri might have accidentally leaked their new name on social media, with it having gone down shockingly with Formula 1 fans.
Eagle-eyed fans noticed that the Faenza-based team changed their Instagram handle to ‘VisaCashAppRB’, which most believe is short for Visa Cash App (or CashApp) Racing Bulls.
If this is the team’s new name as part of their huge rebrand, then it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue!
Those who noticed the change on AlphaTauri’s Instagram – they’ve since reverted to their original handle – quickly revealed their discovery on X (formerly known as Twitter).
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It’s fair to say the leaked name hasn’t gone down perhaps as the Red Bull sister team would’ve liked, with the vast majority having ridiculed the rumoured new name.
One fan, @SCUDESAINZ wrote: “Imagine someone asking you what team do you like in formula one and you have to say with your full chest ‘visa cash app racing bulls’…. I WOULD NOT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.”
Another fan, @JACKAITKEN commented: “My condolences to their drivers bc imagine you have to say ‘I drive for the visa cash app racing bulls’ I would simply end my career.”
Others like @AIOnWheelss, said: “This is ridiculous. Sponsors taking a piss with their requirements.”
Staggeringly, AlphaTauri’s rumoured new name has gone down worse than Sauber’s confirmed new title, which is Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.
This in itself is an impressive feat, considering how much backlash the Hinwil-based side received over their new name following the end of their partnership with Alfa Romeo.
AlphaTauri’s new name is all part of the side taking that next step forwards, after accepting that the last two seasons haven’t gone to plan.
Part of the rebrand has seen Franz Tost depart as team principal after leading the side since 2006, with Ferrari’s former race director Laurent Mekies having replaced him.
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Overlooking a lot of the rebrand is CEO Peter Bayer, who only took up his position last year.
In terms of drivers, Yuki Tsunoda has been retained for a fourth season with him being joined by eight-time race winner Daniel Ricciardo.
Both drivers are eager to have a strong 2024 campaign, as they have their eyes on Sergio Perez’s Red Bull seat for next year.