Franz Tost, the seasoned team boss of Alpha Tauri, is bidding farewell to the pitlane. His departure not only marks the end of an era for him but also heralds a new chapter for the junior Red Bull team.
Tost, at the age of 67, stands on the precipice of a significant change. As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix draws the curtains on the 2023 season, it also signals the conclusion of Tost’s storied career in Formula 1, coinciding with the team’s full rebranding for next year. Reflecting on his decision, Tost revealed in an interview with Kronen Zeitung newspaper in Abu Dhabi, “Two years ago I told Didi Mateschitz that when I was 70 I would no longer be standing in the pitlane.” True to his word, Tost began the process of succession, bringing in Peter Beyer and Laurent Mekies. “I started looking for successors, which we now have with Peter Beyer and Laurent Mekies,” he said, acknowledging the potential for growth under new leadership: “There’s a chance to reach a new level next year.”
Initially, Tost had hinted at a continued involvement with the team in a consulting role. However, he has since reconsidered this position, stepping away from the limelight to allow the new leaders to forge their own path. “With Peter as CEO and Laurent as team boss, we have two excellent people who will lead the team in their own way,” Tost remarked. His decision to step back stems from a deep respect for their autonomy and vision: “I don’t think it’s right to stand next to them and say ‘do it like this, do it like that’. I prefer to let them do it. And I am convinced that they are going in the right direction.”
As the F1 circus gears up for the next season, Tost envisions a different kind of thrill for himself – the serene slopes of the mountains. “Definitely skiing,” he said with a smile, sharing his anticipation for the freedom to indulge in his passion without the constraints of the racing calendar. “Up until now, I was only able to go on Saturday or Sunday – and then it sometimes rained. Then there were tests and the first races. When I got home, the ski season was over. Now I’m looking forward to the freedom of being able to decide when I go. If I see there is powder snow, I’ll just head up the mountain.”
Despite the looming farewell, Tost remains focused on the present, particularly Alpha Tauri’s performance. “We’re still fighting for seventh place in the constructors’ championship, which we take very, very seriously,” he stated, emphasizing his commitment to a smooth transition. “I’m still fully integrated, and I probably also will be in the next week, because it’s also about handing over the team properly so that we are optimally positioned for 2024.”
Reflecting on his 18-year tenure as a team principal, Tost anticipates a mixed bag of emotions as he steps away. “I don’t know exactly what it will look like in January,” he admitted, hinting at the inevitable sense of nostalgia that comes with such a significant change. “In 18 years as a team principal, I have gotten to know and appreciate a lot of people. It could be that by then I feel a little melancholy and miss these people.”
Franz Tost’s departure from Formula 1 is not just the end of a chapter for him but a symbolic moment for the sport. As he leaves behind the frenetic pace of the pitlane for the tranquility of the mountains, Tost’s legacy remains – a testament to dedication, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the world of Formula 1.
