Minardi F1 team founder breaks silence on the possibility of AlphaTauri being renamed to ‘Minardi’

Gian Carlo Minardi admitted that such a name change of AlphaTauri would've been ideal for the 75-year-old.

Minardi F1 team founder breaks silence on the possibility of AlphaTauri being renamed to ‘Minardi’

Yuki Tsunoda driving the AlphaTauri AT04 at the Dutch GP (image via IMAGO)

Scuderia AlphaTauri will undergo a rebrand before the start of the 2024 F1 season. The Faenza-based team started as Minardi, founded by Italy’s Gian Carlo Minardi. Red Bull acquired the Italian team and renamed it Toro Rosso in 2006. Now, as the Red Bull sister team goes through another overhaul, the former Minardi shared his views on his former team.

Gian Carlo Minardi said he would’ve been happy to see the Faenza-based team return to the Minardi name. However, the Italian admitted that such a rebrand is highly unlikely, with Red Bull already rumored to be in talks with sponsors for AlphaTauri’s new identity. He told Mnardi.it, “I was particularly pleased with the combination of the name ‘Minardi’ in anticipation of the next change. It will not happen, but it would have been nice.”

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The Minardi F1 team first raced at the pinnacle of motorsport in 1985. The small Italian outfit failed to race at the front of the grid during its two decades in F1. However, Minardi had gained a loyal fanbase during this time. Drivers such as Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, and Jos Verstappen raced for the Faenza-based team before Red Bull took over its operations at the end of 2005.

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AlphaTauri to form closer ties with Red Bull in 2024

Red Bull's Max Verstappen leading Daniel Ricciardo in the AlphaTauri (image via IMAGO)
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen leading Daniel Ricciardo in the AlphaTauri (image via IMAGO)

After a rough start to the 2023 season for AlphaTauri, Red Bull has decided to create greater synergy between its two teams. The Faenza-based squad will have some of its departments shift to the UK in the future near its sister team’s Milton Keynes base. Moreover, the Italian team will procure all non-listed parts from Christian Horner‘s team.

There has been speculation regarding the rebrand of AlphaTauri. Hugo Boss and current title sponsor Orlen have reportedly been in contact with Red Bull for the Italian team’s new identity. Although for now, no information has been disclosed by the energy drinks giant for the same. As such, fans would be looking forward to seeing another name change for the team that started out as Minardi.

Thus, Gian Carlo Minardi would’ve looked to see the Minardi name return to his former team. The name would’ve been an ideal tribute to the squad’s history in F1. However, as the Italian suggested, it is highly unlikely with interested parties already in discussions with Red Bull. As such, the Faenza-based squad will not be going back to the name of its founder.

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