Franz Tost: I can imagine myself as an advisor

Former AlphaTauri chief Franz Tost left his position at the end of 2023. In an interview with F1Insider, he talked about the best Formula 1 drivers, the shortcomings of computer generation specialists and BMW’s missed opportunities…

Question: Franz, you have spent most of your life in motorsports, but at the end of last year you announced your retirement…
Franz Tost: The decision was made earlier. Two years ago I told Dietrich Mateschitz that I didn’t want to be on the pit wall at the age of 70. He said, ‘Okay, but wait until we find a successor.’ We found Laurent Mekis and Peter Bayer. I left AlphaTauri in good hands.

Question: Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has already indicated that he wants to engage you as a consultant…
Franz Tost: Yes, we will discuss this matter on January 15 and then we will see in which role I will continue to work at Red Bull. I will always be involved in motorsport, so I can well imagine that I play an advisory role.

Question: Don’t you see yourself as a television expert?
Franz Tost: No, it’s not mine. I would have to get involved in politics, and I don’t like that. Moreover, not everyone likes the truth. Ralf Schumacher plays the role of expert excellently, but is too soft in his assessment of the situation. I would be more radical.

Q: How do you evaluate your career?
Franz Tost: Positive. I was pumped from the start. My time at Walter Lechner’s racing school, then with Michael Schumacher in Willi Weber’s Formula 3 team and then with Ralf Schumacher, were highlights. I was with BMW for a while.

The biggest challenge was the creation of a youth team for Didi Mateschitz. After the purchase of Minardi we had to start all over again. It was a huge task. I will never forget my first victory with Sebastian Vettel at Monza in 2008.

Q: Your team members can breathe a sigh of relief when they hear of your departure. Recently you sharply criticized them in front of the cameras…
Franz Tost: They’ve already dealt with it. Sometimes you have to train engineers from the computer generation.

I was angry because our Yuki Tsunoda stayed outside too long during the last race in Abu Dhabi. It was clear to the blind man that he had to change the tires so as not to lose his position to Fernando Alonso. But the strategists simply looked at their math programs and believed the numbers. It was too much for me. I threatened to throw away their laptops next time, but since this was my last race I couldn’t do that.

It is important that those born in the computer age understand that this is a good tool, but nothing more. We need to remember common sense, because people write programs that they then use.

Question: Does this principle apply to racers?
Franz Tost: Exactly the opposite. Pilots need to study as much data as possible to continuously improve. More than once I realized that the driver didn’t even know what car settings his teammate was using. You can only continuously improve your performance if you analyze your laps and races.

Question: Michael Schumacher spent hours on this…
Franz Tost: Yes, but Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly also worked seriously. Michael always knew where he could improve and what his teammate’s weaknesses were. From the very beginning, the champions spent most of their time on the track with engineers and data. Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen all have it.

Question: Is it possible to recognize a champion at a young age?
Franz Tost: There is no champion, but natural talent is immediately visible. I’m talking about the pilot’s skill and attitude towards speed. With Michael you never had the feeling that he was cautious, even on the first lap. This also applied to his brother Ralph. And with Max Verstappen. When he first got behind the wheel of Formula 1 in Suzuka at the age of 17, he was immediately able to cope, despite much higher speeds and braking loads of up to 6 grams.

Q: How do you remember your days at BMW? From 2000 to 2005 you were Director of Operations at BMW Motorsport…
Franz Tost:Only positive. BMW was the leader in technology, they created the best engine I have ever seen in Formula 1.

The problem was Williams, the team simply didn’t move with the times. It was their fault that BMW failed to win the manufacturers’ championship. At Monza 2003, Ralf Schumacher was involved in a serious accident due to Williams installing an old suspension on his car, which broke during training. The injured Ralph had to be replaced. I am sure that BMW would have become world champion with Ralf. I really enjoyed working and living in Munich. This is one of my favorite cities.

Q: How much do you miss Michael Schumacher?
Franz Tost: A lot. Not only as one of the best racers of all time, but also as a person. He could be trusted, he never pretended and always said what he thought openly.

Q: Would his son Mick’s career have been different if he had been there?
Franz Tost: I think so. Not only because of his vast experience, but also because of his authority in Formula 1.

Question: Max Verstappen dominates modern Formula 1. Do you see someone who can match him in the future?
Franz Tost: No. If Max continues to have a good car, he will win many more races and titles. He hasn’t reached his limit yet and will continue to improve. No driver who was or will be his teammate will ever go beyond the role of driver number two.