F1 team set for name change just three years after altering previous one as fans rage ‘just pick a name and stick to it’
FORMULA ONE team AlphaTauri are set to change their name from next season, just three years after adopting it.
AlphaTauri has been the name of Red Bull’s sister team since 2020 following a rename from Toro Rosso.
GettyAlphaTauri will have a new name from next season[/caption]
ReutersBut F1 fans were not over the moon with the announcement[/caption]
Results for the team have been far from ideal, finishing no higher than sixth in the constructor’s championship in the last three seasons, with last season seeing them end a lowly ninth.
The AlphaTauri clothing brand who are the main sponsor of the team are also experiencing a tough time off the track – running at a loss.
In an effort to curb these results, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed the team will be undergoing a rebranding and restructuring.
Speaking to Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung, Marko said: “AlphaTauri will have two new leaders in 2024, Laurent Mekies and Peter Bayer. There will be new sponsors and a new name.
“The orientation is clear: follow Red Bull Racing as far as the regulations allow. Own designs are the wrong way to go.”
However, fans have been angered by another name change with the team, with one slamming: “We had Toro Rosso, then AlphaTauri, now something else.
“Just pick a name and stick to it, for crying out loud.”
A second joked: “Starting next year, they’ll be ‘The Team that shall not be named’.”
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko revealed the newsRex
GettyThere may be a driver shake-up at the team too[/caption]
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Some fans opted to speculate on the new name, with some believing the change could move in line with Red Bull’s new sponsorship with Ford.
The car manufacturer announced its intention to return to F1 in 2026, and booted up its plans by agreeing to supply powertrains for both Red Bull and AlphaTauri from the 2023 season.
F1 is set to see the grid expanded to 12 teams in 2026, with Hitech GP – who run in Formula junior series including F2 and F3 – the latest to announce their intention to join the F1 grid earlier this week.
Other manufacturers such as Audi, Porsche and Andretti Cadillac have also joined the list of prospective new constructors.
Some fans even wanted to see cult classic team Minardi – who competed in F1 from 1985 to 2005 – return after an absence of almost two decades.
In terms of next season, the changes at AlphaTauri look likely to extend to their driver line up with Nyck de Vries and Yuki Tsunoda coming under pressure to deliver with the team stuck in last place.
Tsunoda has scored both of the teams two points this term, and Marko has hinted at a shakeup with former Formula E and F2 champion De Vries looking likely to be on the chopping block.
Marko said: “Yuki is having a very good season with unfortunate results and some penalties, but his performance is good.
“About him, we are not satisfied, we are also looking at that.”
Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year
