Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner of Red Bull, has died at the age of 78.
The Austrian co-founded the energy drink company in 1987 before taking over the Jaguar F1 team in 2004, rebranding it as Red Bull Racing.
Reports started to speculate about his health in recent months and the sad news was confirmed shortly after all Red Bull Racing staff were brought into their hospitality ahead of Qualifying for the United States Grand Prix.
In just six seasons he was able to guide his team from the midfield to becoming World Champions, with Sebastian Vettel giving the team their first four World Drivers’ titles and partnered Mark Webber to the team’s four Constructors’ titles.
More recently, the team has reached winning ways once again with Max Verstappen winning both the 2021 and 2022 World titles, and the team looks set to win this season’s Constructors’ titles with the help of Sergio Perez.
He founded the energy drinks giant in 1987 and had an interest in promoting extreme sports from an early age, part of the company that has made Red Bull recognisable around the world.
Mateschitz graduated from the Vienna University of Economics and Business with a marketing degree in 1972 and worked fo Unilever before moving to Blendax.
His first venture into Formula One was with the Sauber team in 1995, with the partnership lasting until 2001, before returning to the sport in 2004 after purchasing the Jaguar team. He also bought the A1 Ring in Austria and renamed it the Red Bull Ring when it was re-opened in 2011.
He leaves a huge legacy behind, something that everyone in the Red Bull team will be hoping to carry on.