AlphaTauri’s new name for the 2024 season, Visa Cash App RB.
Red Bull’s sister Formula 1 team, formerly known as Scuderia Toro Rosso before AlphaTauri, has thoroughly rebranded itself as Visa Cash App RB for the 2024 season and onwards.
The new team name was announced on Wednesday, with Visa serving as a global partner to both Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB. Visa and Cash App will also support entries for the F1 Academy’s season of seven Grands Prix this year.
This change comes as part of Visa’s multi-year partnership with both of the Red Bull teams, following a brand new livery makeover that will be introduced in Las Vegas on February 8. The deal marks Visa’s first massive global sports sponsorship in over 15 years, with the Visa logo appearing on the liveries of Red Bull Racing cars, Visa Cash App RB cars, and F1 Academy entrants.
In addition to undergoing significant team name and identity changes, long-time Team Principal Franz Tost bid farewell and was replaced by Laurent Mekies, a former Deputy Race Director and Safety Director for the FIA. He had joined Scuderia Ferrari in 2018.
“It’s fantastic to reveal the new identity and to welcome new partners as we embark on the next phase of the team’s Formula 1 story,” said the CEO of the newly named Visa Cash App RB team, Peter Bayer.
“Faenza is entering a new era of racing, staying true to our roots as a hothouse for talent but now with an even greater focus on competing for the biggest prize in F1. We have a bold vision for the team lead by myself and Team Principal, Laurent Mekies and having future-focused partners such as Visa and Cash App alongside us on that journey is hugely exciting.”
Prior to the official announcement of the new team name, Visa Cash App RB conducted negotiations that briefly gave rise to speculations that it might become ‘Racing Bulls’ or ‘RB’ for short. In light of the fact that RB is commonly associated with the reigning world champions, Red Bull Racing, the team is likely to be referred to as the acronym V-CARB upon disclosure.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 01: Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR14 Honda on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason | Getty Images)
The Italy-based team which was previously known as Scuderia Toro Rosso and Minardi has been a powerhouse for the young rising talents of Formula 1. Sebastian Vettel, the four-time World Champion, secured Toro Rosso’s first podium, pole position, and victory at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix. Now three-time World Champion Max Verstappen also made history in the 2015 Australian Grand Prix by being the youngest driver to participate for Toro Rosso in Formula 1, being only 17 years old at the time. Along with joining Verstappen at Toro Rosso for the 2015 season, Carlos Sainz, who is now racing for Scuderia Ferrari, also made his Formula 1 debut. Williams’ current driver Alexander Albon began his career with the team as well.
Daniel Ricciardo, who is currently driving for Visa Cash App RB, was promoted to the senior team following his accomplishments with Toro Rosso. Following the team’s rebranding to Scuderia AlphaTauri in 2020, Pierre Gasly, the current driver for Alpine, made his Formula 1 debut in the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. A couple years later, he shocked the team with a victory in the 2020 Italian Grand Prix.
Visa Cash App RB is the second team in the Formula 1 grid to change their name after Alfa Romeo changed theirs to Stake F1 Team.
Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda are stepping into the 2024 season with the team once more. While known as AlphaTauri, the team finished the 2023 Constructors’ Standings in eighth place out of ten teams.
