RB F1 is already worth more than $1 billion, according to its CEO Peter Bayer. The latter explained to Auto Motor und Sport that after the death of Dietrich Mateschitz, Red Bull's leading figure, the new generation of managers considered keeping only one team, Red Bull Racing.
“The owners then decided very quickly that this team actually had a function” said Bayer, who suggested that the prospect of a sale was also attractive to the company.
“Formula 1 experienced incredible growth at that time. Williams was sold for around 150 million euros in 2020. Audi had to pay more than 600 million euros for Sauber. Alpine sold shares corresponding to a valuation of 900 million euros.”
“And we have already received offers of over a billion for the team. So keeping the team makes sense from a business point of view. But we have been clearly told that we need to perform better on the track. “
To achieve this, greater synergies were found between RB and the core Red Bull team, including increased parts sharing. However, Bayer admits that RB still costs Red Bull money.
“Does anyone know of any sponsors?” he continued jokingly. “If we only consider the chassis, the best teams are currently making money: Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes and McLaren. The others still need the support of their owners.”
Bayer also confirmed that RB F1 will officially become Racing Bulls next year: “Fans and media are telling us that 'Racing Bulls' is simply the new identity. We want to emphasize that in our future communications.”
Meanwhile, Bayer appeared to play down the raging speculation that Franco Colapinto will join Red Bull Racing directly next year: “We are clearly focused on the Red Bull junior program.”
“We are focusing on Yuki (Tsunoda) and Liam (Lawson) at the moment. Next on the list is Isack Hadjar, who we already work with a lot and who spends a lot of time in the simulator for us.”
