Franz Tost steps down as head of AlphaTauri

Franz Tost will leave the position of head of AlphaTauri after the end of the 2023 season. Instead, the team from Faenza will be led by Laurent Mequis, who currently holds the position of Ferrari sporting director. In 2024, Tost will continue to work at AlphaTauri as a consultant.

There are other changes in AlphaTauri’s leadership. Peter Bayer, who was FIA Secretary General and Executive Director of Formula 1 until the summer of 2022, has become the team’s Executive Director. He will be responsible for the strategic direction of the AlphaTauri bases in Faenza and the UK.

French toast: “First of all, I would like to thank Dietrich Mateschitz for giving me the incredible opportunity over the past 18 years to lead the Toro Rosso and AlphaTauri teams. It has been a real privilege to lead the team for so long and it has been a pleasure to work with a large number of motivated and experienced people who share my passion for Formula 1.

I am already 67 years old, so it is time to hand over the leadership to our new CEO Peter and Laurent, who will become the team leader. We have found two real professionals who will take the team to the next level. I am grateful to everyone for their cooperation.”

Laurent Makis: “First of all, I would like to pay tribute to Franz for the excellent work he has done in Faenza for almost two decades. I wish him all the best for the future and I know that together with Peter we can count on his advice.

I am honored to be promoted to the position of manager and to return to the team that spent most of my early career. Scuderia AlphaTauri has all the ingredients to be a great success in the future and together with Peter we are determined to achieve the goals.”

Peter Bayer: “I would also like to thank Franz for his dedication to AlphaTauri and Toro Rosso’s predecessor. His commitment to helping young talent has resulted in 25% of current Formula 1 drivers having been trained under him.

It is a great honor for me to receive the position of executive director of the team and to work with Laurent. AlphaTauri has a fantastic staff and infrastructure in Faenza and the UK. I look forward to using our tools to improve efficiency on and off the track and lead the team to success in the years to come.”

Oliver Mintzlaff, Executive Director of Corporate Projects and Investments at Red Bull GmbH: “First of all, I would like to thank Franz Tost for his hard work at Scuderia AlphaTauri and Scuderia Toro Rosso over the past 18 years. All the while, Franz was guided by one desire: to get more out of the car and the rider. Under his leadership, outstanding victories have been achieved and some of the most talented drivers in history have come to Formula 1.

It was not easy to replace him, so the team’s management structure had to be changed. I am delighted to welcome Peter Bayer as CEO and Laurent Mekis as team leader. Both have great experience in leadership positions in Formula 1 and I am confident that together they will lead the Scuderia AlphaTauri to new heights in the future.”