Formula 1: F1 analyst Mark Gallagher recently gave a spirited opinion about Red Bull owned AlphaTauri F1 team and its relevance on the grid. The Italian team has had its presence on the grid since 2006. AlphaTauri, erstwhile Toro Rosso is owned by the Milton Keynes team, and all four drivers, including the two teams sign the same Red Bull contract. The Italian outfit has served various purposes for Red Bull in the past, fruits of which they are still reaping. Follow Formula 1 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The Milton Keynes team and founder Dietrich Mateschitz had a strong vision for keeping two teams at the grid. Firstly, it gives them mobility to switch drivers, even mid season when needed. We saw this happening frequently post Daniel Ricciardo stint. The team switched both Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly to main team before backtracking them few races later. Secondly, it serves them as a viable B-team option to try out new talent, giving them the exposure of Formula 1.
Two of the biggest examples are Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen in this regard. Vettel drove Toro Rosso to its first victory at Monza in 2008, making him the youngest GP winner back then. In 2020, Gasly took his Alpha Tauri to win, yet again in Monza completing the two career wins for the team so far. However, the relevance of the team is in question. The blatant answer to it would be to sell it off ahead of the 2026 regulations, as per Gallagher’s suggestion.
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Gallagher believes there is no need for a second Red Bull team in F1
As per the F1 insider, Red Bull had logistical and political reasons to have a second team presence. Back in the day, having two teams on the grid primarily meant more bargaining power as Red Bull alone held the 20 percent vote. However, as the owners and structure have changed, there is hardly a need for muscle power in the sport, as opposed to winning which has taken the front seat.
Other than that, coming up of Sergio Perez as an ideal partner to Max is another indication that there isn’t necessarily a need for a back-up team in that regard. Mark Gallagher opened up about the same in an interview with Planet F1.
“They did it because not only did Dietrich have this idea, this vision of driver development with Helmut [Marko], but also politically it gives them an extra seat at the table in the Ecclestone era of Formula 1. That’s no longer relevant. The world has changed, Formula 1 has changed under new ownership. They can sell that team for a great deal of money,” said Gallagher.
“That AlphaTauri brand doesn’t look like it’s achieving its goals, doesn’t seem to have relevance as a business. The driver development program has been found wanting. I personally will be surprised if that team belongs to Red Bull by the time the 2026 era of regulations start. I think it’ll have been moved on by then,” added the F1 analyst.
Recently, all the major teams have moved their bases to UK with their ambition of creating a mighty workspace. AlphaTauri and Ferrari remain in Italy with all their resources. For the future and balance of supply chain, it would be the best if the team continues to operate in Faenza under a new leadership.
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