Marko: Red Bull not looking to off-load AlphaTauri

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Helmut Marko says that Red Bull's recent corporate restructuring will lead to changes at the energy drink company, but the latter has no need to sell its AlphaTauri F1 outfit.

Following the passing last month of Red Bull co-founder Dietrick Mateschitz, a comprehensive succession has ushered in a three-pronged management team.

Franz Watzlawick will oversee Red Bull's core beverage business, Alexander Kirchmayr will act as chief financial officer, and Oliver Mintzlaff is the company's newly appointed CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments who has Formula 1 among his attributions and to whom Marko will now answer.

Speaking to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, Marko alluded to additional organizational changes at Red Bull, but the Austrian insisted that there would be no impact on the energy drink company's F1 affairs.

Read also: Gasly emotional over AlphaTauri exit: 'This place is like family

"Certainly, a lot will change," Marko said. "It was de facto autocracy, but Red Bull Racing is the group’s strongest and most efficient marketing tool.

"We have worked very independently in the past. We were the only ones who didn’t have to follow certain company rules.

"This autonomy existed with the consent of Mateschitz, but it has already leaked out that the new management wants to continue the company's Formula 1 activities like things are now, with a relatively strong independence."

While Red Bull team boss Christian Horner quickly dismissed in the wake of Mateschitz's passing fears over the championship winning team's future, nothing has filtered regarding AlphaTauri's own prospects.

But Marko stated that Red Bull has no intention of parting with its second team.

"The group is doing well," he added. "There is no need from a financial perspective to sell the team. There is rather a need to bring the team back to a higher level in sporting terms."

Next year, AlphaTauri's driver line-up will consist of incumbent Yuki Tsonoda who will embark on this third season in F1 and newcomer Nyck de Vries.

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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.