Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s top consultant, has emphasized that the team formerly known as Alpha Tauri and Toro Rosso, now officially named Visa Cash App RB, remains independent from Red Bull Racing. This assertion comes amidst the team’s rebranding and operational changes, including its move to the UK to enhance synergies with Red Bull Racing and recruit British talent.
The team’s new name and logo, featuring the familiar Red Bull bucking bull and the ‘RB’ (Racing Bulls) acronym, have sparked speculation about a closer relationship with Red Bull Racing. Michael Schmidt, a correspondent for Auto Motor und Sport, explained the challenges in finding the new name. “Originally, Racing Bulls was supposed to be more prominent,” he said. “But Formula 1 wasn’t particularly happy with sponsor names appearing before the chassis manufacturer, which is why Racing Bulls ended up abbreviated to ‘RB’.”
Despite these changes, Marko insists on the team’s independence: “It remains an independent team with its own leadership. It should also remain a junior team, even if this year we’re going with an experienced driver,” referring to 34-year-old Daniel Ricciardo. Ricciardo, a potential candidate for Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull Racing in 2025, represents a strategic choice for the team’s future.
Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner sees the benefit in their current situation. “The good thing for us is that we have options both outside and inside the team,” he said, alluding to Perez’s expiring contract and the team’s flexibility in decision-making.
The potential shift in drivers opens opportunities for rising talents like 21-year-old Liam Lawson. “The more pressure he had,” Marko noted, “the better he became,” highlighting Lawson’s promising capabilities under challenging conditions when he substituted for the injured Ricciardo.
