Vettel on Mateschitz: 'Impact of Red Bull in F1 is unprecedented'

The Formula 1 world is still mourning the loss of Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz. The 78-year-old Austrian died after battling a long and serious illness. Sebastian Vettel is one of the drivers on the grid who owes a lot to Mateschitz.

There are many drivers on the current Formula 1 grid who have a connection with the Red Bull family. Max Verstappen made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso at the age of 17, Sergio Perez unexpectedly got a chance at Red Bull Racing and Vettel managed to win four world titles with the top team. Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon and Yuki Tsunoda also owe a lot to Mateschitz.

"I think it was six of us on Sunday on the grid that shared obviously a story with Red Bull, or are still sharing a story with Red Bull, as a brand, as a team, with the junior team and there’s probably more F1 drivers, thinking of others as well - I think the impact that Red Bull had on the grid in the last 15 years has been outstanding and probably unprecedented", Vettel says during the press conference in Mexico.

Mateschitz bought the Jaguar Racing team in 2004 and then renamed it Red Bull Racing. Not much later, he did the same with Minardi, the team we now know as AlphaTauri. The first major successes were achieved with Vettel. "Dietrich and I had a great relationship. It was eye level regardless of the statue", says the four-time world champion.