Mateschitz introduced Red Bull to Formula 1 in 2005. Under his leadership, the company has claimed six drivers’ titles and four constructors’ titles.
Dietrich Mateschitz, co-founder of the Red Bull energy drink and owner of the Red Bull F1 and AlphaTauri (formerly Toro Rosso) teams, has died at the age of 78. The Austrian businessman used sport as a platform to promote the brand around the world, and racing was key to achieving his goal.
Mateschitz is considered one of the most influential people in the recent history of Formula 1. After sponsoring the Sauber team between 1995 and 2004, the Austrian, accompanied by his good friend Helmut Marko, decided to buy the Jaguar team for just one dollar. Red Bull officially entered F1 in 2005 with David Coulthard and Christian Klien as drivers.
A year later, he bought Minardi to create his second team, Toro Rosso, and form a driver academy now called AlphaTauri.
In just four years, Red Bull went from being lower-middle of the grid to regularly contending for wins, and in 2010, just six seasons after entering the competition, it claimed its first world title. The energy drink team had already earned a place in F1 history forever.
Mateschitz lived closely all the successes of his teams. The first victories of both Red Bull (Chinese GP 2009) and Toro Rosso (Italian GP 2008), the four titles of Sebastian Vettel and constructors, the phenomenon Max Verstappen and his two championships in a row… In total, his two teams have achieved 91 victories, all of them under the watchful eye of the Austrian.
It was common to see Mateschitz at a few races each season and also at events like pre-season testing, where other big bosses don’t show up as often. He enjoyed Formula 1, a championship to whose recent growth he also contributed with Red Bull, involving fans in more casual actions in an F1 that was still very hermetic, with actions on social networks, videos, events…
In recent years, Mateschitz had stopped attending public events so regularly and the last time he was seen at a Formula 1 race was in 2019. For weeks, it had been rumored that his health had worsened, as he was going through an illness. Sadly, just before qualifying for the United States GP, a key man in recent F1 history has been confirmed dead at the age of 78.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Dietrich Mateschitz, a highly respected and beloved member of the Formula 1 family,” said Stefano Domenicali, F1 President and CEO. “He was an incredible visionary entrepreneur and a man who helped transform our sport, creating the Red Bull brand known around the world.
“I will miss him dearly, as will the entire Formula 1 community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the Red Bull and AlphaTauri teams at this sad time.”
Rest in peace.
