Toro Rosso name change gets the green light

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Scuderia Toro Rosso will be known as Scuderia AlphaTauri from next season following the acceptance of the Faenza-based squad's name change.

In its current guise, Toro Rosso started its life in Formula 1 in 2006 after the Red Bull energy drink company acquired Giancarlo Minardi's minnow outfit.

However, Red Bull recently requested a name change as it seeks to promote its in-house fashion brand labeled AlphaTauri.

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According to Motorsport.com, a favourable e-vote from the F1 Commission which took place after the Russian Grand Prix approved Toro Rosso's request.

The inescapable consequence of the name change for next season is that F1 commentators will no longer be able to refer to "the Alfa on the grid" as phonetically this would hint at either the Alfa Romeo or the AlphaTauri.

And then there will inevitably be those who will keep calling the latter Toro Rosso…

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.