Red Bull owner and F1 giant Dietrich Mateschitz dies hours before USA Grand Prix

Daniel Ricciardo has paid tribute to Red Bull owner and business giant Dietrich Mateschit, after the man who played an integral part in his Formula One success passed away.

Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Dietrich Mateschitz of Austria

Daniel Ricciardo has paid tribute to Red Bull owner and business giant Dietrich Mateschit, a man who played an integral part in his Formula One success.

The devastating news of the 78-year-old’s death came less than an hour before qualifying started at the USA Grand Prix.

There were chaotic scenes outside the Red Bull area just moments before qualifying as Christian Horner gathered every staff member to the hospitality room.

Speculation at the time was that he was set to share news on a salary cap penalty however news soon broke that Mateschitz has passed away.

The 78-year-old had been very unwell for some time.

After qualifying 16th, Ricciardo, who was visibly distressed by the news, spoke of their ongoing relationship even since he departed Red Bull in 2018.

“We got the news about Dietrich Mateschitz just before,” Ricciardo said. “I want to pay tribute and send my condolences to his family.

“He played an integral part in my career he was instrumental in getting me where I am.

“I’m sad to hear that news.

“I’m one of thousands of Red Bull athletes that has so much to thank him for, even since 2018 we kept in touch.

“He didn’t like the limelight but if I heard he was at the circuit I would always go and see him. What he built is phenomenal.”

Mateschitz bought the Jaguar team in late 2004 and renamed it Red Bull Racing. The team went from the middle order to world champions in just six years.

He co-founded the energy drink back in 1987.

Paying tribute to Mateschitz, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the Austrian’s incredible contribution to F1.

Very sad to hear about the passing of Dietrich Mateschitz.

A huge supporter and investor in the world of motorsport but always in a quiet and understated manner, away from the limelight.

My condolences to the Mateschitz family and everyone at Red Bull.

— Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) October 22, 2022

“It’s very very sad, what a great man,” Horner said. “He is few of a kind, what he achieved and what he has done for so many people around the world across different sports is second to none. So many of us have to be grateful to him. The vision he had and the strength of character. never afraid to follow his dreams and that is what he did in Formula One proving that anyone can make a difference.

pic.twitter.com/3BGnr8OMdd

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) October 22, 2022

“We are so grateful to him and everything he has done to support us over the years. So many people in this pitlane owe him so much.

We go into this qualifying to do exactly what he would have wanted us to do. We will be determined to do our best for him.

“He was a passionate supporter and the backbone to everything we do.

“It’s important we celebrate and recognise the contribution he made.”

The news was broken on live television by Martin Brundle and the Sky F1 team.

“It’s really sad news,” Brundle said. “A wonderful man for motorsport.

“He sold toothpaste in Asia and then created this almighty drink and then entered the world of motorsport.

“He has grown it into this incredible racing team. Red Bull turns up all over the world.

“He has been unwell for some time and sadly we now have confirmation of his passing. He was a very private man, he never wanted to be in the spotlight. He always wanted to be behind the scenes.”

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “I am deeply saddened by the news that Dietrich Mateschitz, a hugely respected and much-loved member of the Formula 1 family has passed away.

“He was an incredible visionary entrepreneur and a man who helped to transform our sport and created the Red Bull brand that is known all around the world.

“I will miss him greatly, as will the whole community in Formula 1, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the Red Bull and AlphaTauri teams at this very sad time.”

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dietrich Mateschitz. A man who loved our sport and challenges.
On behalf of everyone at Ferrari, we offer our condolences to his family and to our friends at @redbullracing and @AlphaTauriF1. Our thoughts are with them all. pic.twitter.com/WAJMnaD2c6

— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) October 22, 2022

Mateschitz was named as Austria’s richest person by Forbes in 2022 with an estimated net worth of $42.8 billion.

Besides its involvement in Formula One, Red Bull bought the football club of the Austrian city of Salzburg in 2005, then Leipzig in Germany.

Mateschitz’s legacy, the Red Bull energy drink, was born during one of his many business trips as marketing director of a German cosmetics company when he was served a sweet beverage common in Asia in a luxury bar in Hong Kong.

He was immediately fond of it and was impressed by the drink’s apparent ability to help him overcome his jet lag.

He decided to partner up with the beverage’s developer Thai businessman Chaleo Yoovidhya and the two men founded Red Bull in 1984.

Based in Fuschl-am-See, the brand slowly but surely won over Western taste buds and the brand developed globally thanks to clever marketing and the tie-ins with sport

Originally published as Red Bull owner and F1 giant Dietrich Mateschitz dies hours before USA Grand Prix