The former drivers of the Red Bull Academy pay tribute to Franz Tost

Franz Tost has been the team principal of AlphaTauri since 2006. He has decided to step down from his position within Red Bull’s sister team at the end of the 2023 season. After 18 years in the pinnacle of motorsport, Franz Tost has encountered and nurtured many prominent figures in the Formula 1 world.

Several of his former drivers wanted to say a few words to him before the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, a race that was supposed to be held at AlphaTauri’s home circuit. Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, all have passed under Franz Tost’s guidance and expertise.

A talented developer

« I think it’s a good thing to have someone like Franz by our side. He helped me a lot at the beginning by giving me advice and sharing his experience, » said Max Verstappen, whose Franz Tost was the first team principal.

« When you join F1, you want to win everything as quickly as possible. But Franz Tost would talk to us to reason with us about that. These conversations were very important for all the drivers he managed. It helps to calm down the too high ambitions, » added the double world champion.

« He has seen many young talents develop up to the main team (Red Bull). It’s an exceptional career and, on one hand, I am sad to see him go. But he has given so much to F1, he has spent so many years there, that at some point, it’s time for family,” concluded the Dutchman.

Franz Tost knows how to be patient

Nyck de Vries, currently in his first season in F1 with AlphaTauri, is grateful for the opportunity given to him by the Austrian team. His team manager trusts him, even if the Dutchman’s adaptation is taking time. “I am truly grateful to Franz Tost and the role he played in giving me this opportunity in F1. We have a good relationship and I think we will really appreciate all the work he has put in during these 18 years. He truly lives for the team, the team’s employees, and the sport in general,” stated the Formula E world champion.

Yuki Tsunoda, also arrived in Formula 1 thanks to the opportunity given by Franz Tost, is focusing on the end of the season. AlphaTauri is having a difficult start to the year with only two points scored. The Japanese driver wants to bounce back and finish the adventure with his team principal on a high note. « I hope we can finish well for him. But for that, we need a lot of improvements. We have an aggressive plan to do it and we are looking to execute it, » he stated. « I feel really grateful towards him. He has always had confidence in my pace over the past three years and he has always supported me, » added the Japanese driver.

Pierre Gasly, having been with Toro Rosso/AlphaTauri twice, also had a few words for his former team principal. He is very close to his drivers and he tries to understand them and their personalities. He understands that we are all different and that we don’t all have the same demands regarding the car. He is always very good with people and always chooses his words carefully, expressed the Alpine driver.

Laurent Mekies, new team manager

Franz Tost will still remain with AlphaTauri to ensure the transition. He will serve as a consultant within the team. As a reminder, Laurent Mekies will replace the Austrian as the team principal at the end of the 2023 season. The current sporting director of Ferrari will return to Faenza, where he previously worked as an engineer. Peter Bayer, former executive director of Formula 1 at the FIA, will become the new CEO of AlphaTauri.