Tributes have been paid to Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner and co-founder of the sports drink company Red Bull, who has died aged 78.
As well as turning his energy drink into a market leader, the Austrian billionaire also founded one of the most successful Formula One teams in recent history. His death was announced by the company on Saturday, ahead of qualifying for Sunday’s United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, where the Red Bull team can win a fifth F1 constructors’ title.
After years of Mercedes dominance in recent years, Red Bull is back at the front of the grid with Max Verstappen sealing his second title at the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this month. “I find it really incredible what he has done,” Verstappen, who made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso, told Sky Sports. “Luckily I got to spend a little bit of time with him a few weeks back, which is now of course is even more special. “It’s a big loss for all of us. Without him I wouldn’t be here today.