Thank you Mister Red Bull, you’ve given wings to MotoGP and Formula 1

Dietrich Mateschitz passed away on 22 October. The well-known Austrian entrepreneur who was able to bring a personal touch to every idea and project he conceived or put his name to has died at the age of 78 after a long period of illness.

MotoGP, Formula 1 and (even) a dedicated racetrack: Red Bull is truly iconic

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Who doesn’t know the red bull, framed by its blue and silver colours?! Everyone has heard of Red Bull, the energy drink appreciated by both athletes and the general public. Dietrich was a pioneer, the "Red Bull gives you wings” slogan reaching as far as the various motorsport paddocks.

Taking in extreme sports such as cliff diving, free climbing, skydiving, free style and dozens of other specialities, the iconic can has even supported Formula 1 teams, as you well know. The Red Bull team won titles with Sebastian Vettel and is now two-time champion with Max Verstappen. And then there’s Alpha Tauri, the former Toro Rosso squad.

In MotoGP we see the brand on the helmets of several riders, on the fairings of the KTM - as main sponsor of the factory RC16s – and in Moto3 and Moto2 teams. But that’s not all… Have you ever been to the Red Bull Ring? The Austrian track is one of the most efficient and functional you’ll find.

A minute of applause in the world championship

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On the Sepang starting grid, many of those working in the paddock stopped to applaud Mateschitz. Beyond the money, the vision, the business and the travel, Dietrich was a pioneer in the simplest but most fundamental sense.

Winning, or doing one's best to win. And with what approach? With enjoyment, an ingredient that (let us dream) could be the secret behind the drink recognized around the globe. Why else would a crazy visionary sponsor events never seen prior to his contribution, like the flying of home-made, human-powered planes into a lake, or the downhill soap box race?

With or without engines, the Austrian businessman introduced an actual lifestyle, one that went on to be ‘copied’ by various competitors. Without naming names, you know who we’re talking about. Whether or not you’re a fan of sports and finance, regardless of whether you like energy drinks or not, know that we have lost a man able to broadcast messages on TV, papers, radio, websites and vehicles of every kind.

Traslated by Heather Watson