Franz Tost to stand down from Alpha Tauri at end of year

Franz Tost is set to stand down as Alpha Tauri’s team principal at the end of the year with Ferrari’s current sporting director, Laurent Mekies set to take over.

In a bid to secure long-term stability and continuity at the Faenza-based outfit, Alpha Tauri, the team have announced a new restructure within its senior management. As such, Tost will leave the team at the end of the year and will be replaced by Ferrari’s current Sporting Director Mekies.

The outgoing team principal joined the team at its creation back in 2005 and led – then Toro Rosso – to its first victory, on home soil, at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix when four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel secured his first career win.

After being rebranded to Alpha Tauri from Toro Rosso in 2020, Tost led the team to yet another victory in Monza at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix at the hands of Pierre Gasly.

On his departure, Tost stated:

“First of all, I would like to thank Dietrich Mateschitz, who gave me the incredible opportunity to be Team Principal of Scuderia Toro Rosso and Scuderia AlphaTauri for the past 18 years.

“It has been a true privilege to lead the Team for such a long period and a great pleasure to work with so many motivated and skilled people, who share my passion for Formula 1.

“With 67 years old it is time to hand over and with Peter as the new CEO and Laurent as Team Principal, we found two very professional people, who will bring the Team to the next level. I want to thank everyone for the good cooperation.”

The new change will provide the team with a two-pronged leadership structure with Mekies taking over as team principal, alongside Peter Bayer joining the team as their new Chief Executive Officer.

Formerly acting as F1 Executive Director and Secretary General for Sport at the FIA, Bayer will oversee the ‘strategic direction’ of the team at both of its facilities in Italy and the UK.

Mekies appointment will bring Ferrari’s sporting director back to Faenza where he will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the team, including the running of the team’s technical, manufacturing and support functions in addition to the race team operations.

Combined, Alpha Tauri believes they will create a ‘dynamic leadership team’ that holds equal responsibility between the two individuals.

Ahead of his appointment as the team’s new team principal, Mekies said:

“Firstly, I’d like to pay tribute to Franz for the great job he has done over almost two decades in charge at Faenza.

“I wish him well for the future and I know that both Peter and I will rely on his input and advice in times to come.

“Looking forward, I am honoured to take on the role of Team Principal and to return to the team where I spent a large portion of my early career.

“Scuderia AlphaTauri has all of the ingredients necessary for greater success in the future and in tandem with Peter I’m looking forward to making that happen.”

Despite his departure, Tost will remain with the team in 2024 under a consultancy role after Alpha Tauri recognised ‘his longstanding contribution to the team and its drivers.’

That’s all for the article; Franz Tost to stand down from Alpha Tauri at end of year!

What did you think of the Alpha Tauri news? Let us know in the comments!

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.