Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz has passed away at the age of 78, it has been announced.
Mateschitz, one of the most influential characters in Formula 1’s recent history, passed away on the eve of the United States GP.
Team members of his Red Bull Racing team were informed of Mateschitz’s passing prior to the qualifying hour at the Circuit of the Americas.
Austrian businessman Mateschitz co-founded the energy drink company in 1987, and the brand later expanded into the sports world.
An avid racing fan, the Red Bull brand appeared in Formula 1 as early as the 1990s, becoming heavily involved with the Sauber team from 1995.
Mateschitz increased his commitment to the sport by founding the Red Bull F1 team, taking over the Jaguar F1 entry, which has been competing since 2005
The ‘junior’ Red Bull team Toro Rosso, known today as AlphaTauri, was established just one year later, taking over from the Minardi outfit.
Under Mateschitz’s ownership, the Red Bull team have achieved six Drivers’ Championships and four Constructors’ Championships, with a total of 91 race victories across the senior and junior teams.
