Why Did Torro Rosso Change Its Name and What Does AlphaTauri Mean?

AlphaTauri’s highly anticipated car launch is scheduled for today. On the landmark occasion for the constructor, we look back at the history of the newly rebranded Italian team. Toro Rosso rebranded as AlphaTauri before entering the 2020 grid and changed their position on the grid from Red Bull’s junior team to their sister team.

Toro Rosso debuted back in 2006 when Red bull purchased the Faenza-based Minardi team. Red Bull had a strategic plan following the rebranding. The Milton-Keynes team used Toro Rosso to give a platform to young talents, who could later earn their ranks to drive for the Red Bull team.

Toro Rosso has produced Red Bull superstars like Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and Max Verstappen. The German gave Toro Rosso their only F1 victory at the 2008 Italia Grand Prix. He also helped them to their best F1 finish that season at P6 on the table.

The team requested a name change ahead of the 2020 season, which was approved by the FIA as Scuderia AlphaTauri. The new moniker was built to promote the AlphaTauri fashion brand, founded by Red Bull in 2016.

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A dream 2020 season for AlphaTauri

Along with Red Bull, their sister team, too, opted for Honda’s power unit. The gamble proved to be the right decision as AlphaTauri enjoyed a successful first season and claimed 107 points to finish P7 on the table. Pierre Gasly also broke into the top-10 in the Drivers’ Championship standings.

The Frenchman shook the F1 community with his, and his rebranded Italian team’s first win. Heading into Monza, famously known as the temple of speed, the odds were lining up over another Lewis Hamilton-dominant weekend.

However, the race ended with one of the most unpredictable podiums of the season. With Leclerc and Verstappen retiring, and Hamilton receiving a 10-second stop-go penalty, Gasly found himself ahead of the pack.

The Frenchman held McLaren’s Carlos Sainz behind and delivered one of the best races of 2020. He wrote his story of redemption with his maiden win at Monza. AlphaTauri has signed the young Yuki Tsunoda to drive alongside Gasly this season.

Do you believe the pair can match Toro Rosso’s best finish of P6 or maybe better their record with a higher finish this season? Well, only time will tell.