AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost to step down after 18 years

Franz Tost has been in charge of the F1 team for 18 years but will step down at the end of the year; He will be replaced by Laurent Mekies; The season continues live on Sky Sports F1 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend

Franz Tost will step down as team principal of AlphaTauri after 18 years

AlphaTauri have announced that their team principal Franz Tost will step down at the end of the season as a new management structure comes into effect, bringing to an end his 18 years with the team.

The move will see former FIA executive Peter Bayer join the team as CEO to “oversee the strategic direction of the team at its facilities in Faenza and in the UK”, with Laurent Mekies, the current Sporting Director of Ferrari, joining as the new team principal.

Mekies will be “responsible for the day-to-day operation of the team, including technical, manufacturing, support function and race team operations and in conjunction with Peter’s strategically focussed role, they will create a new and dynamic leadership team with equal responsibility”, according to a statement from AlphaTauri.

Tost has been with the team since 2005, leading the team to wins in the 2008 Italian Grand Prix when Torro Rosso and again in 2020 at Monza.

On his departure, Tost said: “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 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.”

Tost will continue at Scuderia AlphaTauri in a consultancy role in 2024.