One of the founders of Red Bull GmbH and owner of two Formula 1 teams, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri, has died aged 78 after a long illness.

The Austrian businessman who founded the energy drink company in 1984 was instrumental in the brand’s commitment to Formula 1. Mateschitz owned 49% of the energy drink brand and was the driving force behind its entered the race.

– It’s very, very sad. He was a great man, and everything he did for so many people in the world is irrefutable. We will be eternally grateful to him for the opportunities he gave us, for his vision and his strength. We will approach qualifying exactly as Dietrich wants. He was filled with passion for the sport, said Christian Horner.

Red Bull will win its first constructors’ title since 2013 in Austin if Ferrari does not score 19 points ahead of the team’s drivers in Sunday’s race, so the team will surely be determined to do just that this weekend. .

Reports of Mateschitz’s poor health had long since surfaced. The entrepreneur did not appear in the Formula 1 paddock and also missed the last Austrian Grand Prix, which was held at the Red Bull Ring.

– I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Dietrich Mateschitz, a hugely respected and loved member of the Formula 1 family. He was an incredible entrepreneur and man who helped change our sport and created the Red brand Bull known all over the world. the world. I and the entire Formula 1 community will miss him and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and the Red Bull and AlphaTauri teams at this very sad time, said Formula 1 Chairman Stefano Domenicali. .

After news of Mateschitz’s death spread through the Austin paddock shortly before qualifying, condolences and tributes to Red Bull’s father of success from other teams began pouring in.

Mercedes’ Toto Wolff has seen his compatriot’s unprecedented influence on Formula 1, calling him “one of the greatest and most visionary entrepreneurs in the world”.

Ferrari said it was “deeply saddened by the departure of Dietrich Mateschitz, a man who loved sport and challenges”.

Aston Martin paid tribute to “a great man whose influence on the sport cannot be overstated”.