Former F1 team principal Franz Tost: This is what matters now in the championship battle

Salzburgring instead of Monza? Former Toro Rosso/AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost (70) attended the ADAC GT Masters at the weekend because he was asked to lend a hand to a talented young driver: 19-year-old Upper Austrian Tim Hütter, who drives a Lamborghini for Team Engstler. Tost: “I’ll give him a bit of a helping hand. Tim has a good foundation. Let’s see what sort of programme might be on offer for him in 2027. But I’m not his manager…’ Tost was also delighted to be reunited with Arno Zensen, Rosberg’s former team principal in the DTM – as both had begun their racing careers at the Walter Lechner Racing School at the Salzburgring.

The Tyrolean continues to work as a consultant for Red Bull, attends the occasional Grand Prix – such as at Spielberg or the Hungaroring – and frequently comes to Salzburg for meetings. Does the ‘new’ Formula 1 still fascinate him?

Tost on the 2026 regulations

He comments: “Formula 1 will always fascinate me. What will happen as a result of the new regulations was to be expected. Everyone discussed it at length beforehand. Engineers always emphasised that battery management would be difficult. But the FIA and FOM have committed to this in order to attract additional manufacturers to F1 who wanted new regulations. I found all the races exciting. Yes, there were overtaking manoeuvres at the start where you knew they were made possible by better energy management. But they were also entertaining. I don’t think Formula 1 has suffered as a result. It came as no surprise that top drivers weren’t happy with these regulations, as their routine advantages – braking points, turning in, hitting the apex, and so on – were lost because everyone lifts off the throttle 20 metres before the braking point due to energy management. It’s a different way of driving. That’s been recognised, and things will gradually settle down.”

The top drivers have committed to their teams for the long term. Has the transfer market dried up as a result? Tost explains: “The fact that the top drivers have opted for their teams is a good sign. I also expect Hamilton to extend his contract.”

World Championship battle: Antonelli, Russell or Hamilton after all?

And on the current sensation, Kimi Antonelli, Tost admits: “I wouldn’t have expected him to be in contention for the World Championship in such a dominant role so far. He’s doing a brilliant job and has developed very well. If he keeps his cool, he can win the World Championship. He just mustn’t put too much pressure on himself. That would be a mistake. The fact that Lewis Hamilton still has a chance of winning the championship is a good sign for him and for Ferrari. Antonelli is simply faster than Russell. If George wants to stay in the running, he’ll have to really put the pressure on Kimi.”

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Speaking about his former team, the ex-boss says: “The Racing Bulls’ progress has been very positive. Peter Bayer and Alan Permane are doing a great job. We met recently. Their strategy for the future is sound, as they want to continue improving the infrastructure.”

As far as the driver line-up is concerned, Tost doesn’t see it as a ‘luxury problem’, because: “It’s nice to have a problem like that! I hope that Isack Hadjar will be back in action soon and maintain his form. Arvid Lindblad has been impressive so far, and Liam Lawson has gained a lot of experience. Nikola Tsolov is doing well in Formula 2. Red Bull is well positioned in that regard.” Hadjar (Red Bull Racing) is currently out with a wrist injury.

Tost does not consider newcomer Cadillac’s base to be effective: “I would have expected more. The situation is complicated with a team in both the US and Europe. It would be better to focus entirely on the European base. In England there is an existing infrastructure, whereas in the US it isn’t up to the required standard. Audi is really picking up momentum; there could still be some good results to come.”