After concluding the drivers and managers’ silly season for 2023, we had a surprise aspect after the pre-season testing. This new aspect of the silly season was brought on by rumors and Andretti Autosport’s desire to join the premier class. The American racing conglomerate was rumored to have turned its attention to AlphaTauri to find a way in. However, after the AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost squashed the rumors, now the Red Bull boss ridiculed the rumors as well.
Andretti Autosport has been publicly and famously trying every possible avenue to become part of Formula 1. However, the Americans are facing multiple roadblocks in their pursuit. After a tweak in Red Bull’s recent senior structure, AlphaTauri’s future became uncertain. Andretti Autosport was the first to be linked to the team with a $700 million valuation. However, all associated entities with the team have rebuffed the rumors.
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As quoted by Autosport, Horner said, “As we all know, there’s always plenty of speculation in this paddock. Of course, anything like that would be ultimately down to the shareholders and their commitment has always been absolute. So, it’s sometimes amusing to see how things get carried away. As far as I’m aware, there’s no changes planned.”
Horner further explained AlphaTauri’s importance to Red Bull. “We have synergies and supply agreements with AlphaTauri where we supply various components. They share our wind tunnel, for example, as well. So there’s nothing planned,” he explained.
Apart from both team principals, the upper management even chimed in to keep Andretti’s hopes at bay.
From top to bottom, the entire Red Bull hierarchy debunks AlphaTauri sale rumors
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We have already read what Horner had to say about the AlphaTauri rumors. AlphaTauri’s boss, Franz Tost, was the first to address the rumors. Apart from the F1 bosses, Red Bull’s managing director Oliver Mintzlaff also put out a statement.
He said, “[Mintzlaff] confirmed that the shareholders will not sell Scuderia AlphaTauri, and that Red Bull will continue supporting the team in the future. All these rumours have no foundation, and the team has to remain focused for the start of the season to perform better than last year.”
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Andretti Autosport will have to find another avenue to enter the premier class because as of now, the doors to AlphaTauri are closed.