Franz Tost
Encyclopedia
Franz Tost is an Austrian former racecar driver, currently the team principal of the Scuderia Toro Rosso
Formula One
team.
As a young man, Tost competed in Formula Ford
and Formula Three
. He then studied Sport Science and Management, working as a team manager at the Walter Lechner Racing School. He joined Willi Weber
Management in 1993. He initially ran the WTS Formula Three
team, then looked after a young Ralf Schumacher's
career in Japan
. When the German moved into F1
, Tost followed him, working for BMW
as the German marque re-entered F1
in 2000
as engine supplier for the Williams team, for whom Schumacher was driving at the time. Tost worked for BMW as Track Operations Manager until 1 January 2006, when the new Scuderia Toro Rosso team hired him as Team Principal.
, at the Nürburgring
in Germany, it was alleged that Tost assaulted driver Scott Speed
after the first turn confusion caused by rain. After Tost later denied the incident, Speed went to the press describing the acrimonious situation at the team, stating that "after coming out and denying this stuff, it's just another very dishonest thing that Franz and Gerhard
have said in the media to damage me and Tonio
". Scott also stated that he doesn't want to race for Tost and Berger again.
Scuderia Toro Rosso
Scuderia Toro Rosso , also known simply as Toro Rosso or by its abbreviation STR, is an Italian Formula One racing team...
Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
team.
As a young man, Tost competed in Formula Ford
Formula Ford
Formula Ford is a single seater, open wheel class in motorsport which exists in some form in many countries around the world. It is an entry-level series to motor racing....
and Formula Three
Formula Three
Formula Three, also called Formula 3 or F3, is a class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers...
. He then studied Sport Science and Management, working as a team manager at the Walter Lechner Racing School. He joined Willi Weber
Willi Weber
Wilhelm "Willi" Friedrich Weber is the manager of numerous German racing drivers including seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher, his brother Ralf Schumacher and Timo Scheider...
Management in 1993. He initially ran the WTS Formula Three
Formula Three
Formula Three, also called Formula 3 or F3, is a class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers...
team, then looked after a young Ralf Schumacher's
Ralf Schumacher
Ralf Schumacher is a German racing driver, and the younger brother of seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher...
career in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. When the German moved into F1
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
, Tost followed him, working for BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
as the German marque re-entered F1
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
in 2000
2000 Formula One season
The 2000 Formula One season was the 51st season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 2000 FIA Formula One World Championship which commenced on March 12, 2000, and ended on October 22 after seventeen races...
as engine supplier for the Williams team, for whom Schumacher was driving at the time. Tost worked for BMW as Track Operations Manager until 1 January 2006, when the new Scuderia Toro Rosso team hired him as Team Principal.
Assault on Scott Speed
Following the 2007 European Grand Prix2007 European Grand Prix
The 2007 European Grand Prix was the tenth race of the 2007 Formula One season. It was held from 20 to July 22 at the Nürburgring....
, at the Nürburgring
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
in Germany, it was alleged that Tost assaulted driver Scott Speed
Scott Speed
Scott Andrew Speed is an American race car driver. Formerly a driver for the Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 team, he made his Formula One race debut at the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix; becoming the first American to race in F1 since Michael Andretti in 1993...
after the first turn confusion caused by rain. After Tost later denied the incident, Speed went to the press describing the acrimonious situation at the team, stating that "after coming out and denying this stuff, it's just another very dishonest thing that Franz and Gerhard
Gerhard Berger
Gerhard Berger, is an Austrian former Formula One racing driver, who previously owned 50% of the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula One team until he sold his share back to energy drink owner Dietrich Mateschitz in November 2008....
have said in the media to damage me and Tonio
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Vitantonio "Tonio" Liuzzi is an Italian race driver who is currently racing in Formula One for the HRT F1 Team. He has homes in Lugano, Switzerland and Pescara, Italy.-Karting:...
". Scott also stated that he doesn't want to race for Tost and Berger again.