27 March 2023 , 21:54
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Red Bull are considering a major change to feeder team AlphaTauri, after denying rumours earlier this season that the F1 team is for sale.
Formerly named Toro Rosso the Red Bull feeder team, based in Italy, has helped the likes of Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel on their paths to stardom. The Italian team rebranded as AlphaTauri in 2021 as the company tried to promote Red Bull's clothing brand.
Red Bull's long-time advisor who oversees the young driver programme, Helmut Marko, has suggested that the team's name could be about to change again. “It is something we are reconsidering,” Marko told RacingNews365.
“It is logical too. The branding of AlphaTauri has been scaled back somewhat because only in a few countries where we race AlphaTauri is actually sold. It is about three to four countries only.
“The task is simple. More money must be brought in and results improved.”
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A report earlier this year from Germany claimed that the company is open to selling the feeder team or considering re-locating from its Italian base. However, the team denied the rumours and told Mirror Sport that there are "no plans to change the current set up". They added: "Red Bull Technology supply components to AlphaTauri and Red Bull Powertrains works with and alongside their team."
French driver Pierre Gasly left AlphaTauri to join Alpine this season (HOCH ZWEI/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)Under drivers Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda the AlphaTauri team finished ninth in the constructor's championships with just 35 points - a drop from sixth the previous campaign.
Mark warned after the end of the 2022 season that the team's future might be reassessed. He said: "Where there is a need [for change] is AlphaTauri, this was not satisfactory in the past year. They were beaten below their value.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko speaks to AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda (Getty Images)"For the potential, technically and financially, ninth place is not acceptable. They made a lot of mistakes in strategy. The car had too little downforce. At the moment we are in the process of taking stock and looking at which screws we have to turn."
Gasly left the team in the off-season to join Alpine and has finished better than both Tsunoda and new recruit Nyck de Vries in the opening two Grand Prix races this season. Tsunoda has been the better of the two AlphaTauri drivers finishing just outside the points in 11th at both rounds so far.