FEBRUARY 9, 2006

Berger buys into Scuderia Toro Rosso

Scuderia Toro Rosso has a new 50% partner with half the shares of the Italian Formula 1 team having been taken over by Gerhard Berger's motorsport company. The 46-year-old Tyrolean, who raced in F1 and went on to become head of BMW Motorsport, has decided that he cannot live without the sport and will return as a part-owner. As part of the deal Red Bull has bought 50% of the shares of Berger's shipping company. Berger will be personally involved in the activities of Scuderia Toro Rosso and be available in an advisory capacity with regard to Red Bull's overall Formula 1 engagement.

"The involvement of a company like Red Bull is an important milestone for the Berger shipping company and for its successful future development," says Berger. "On the other hand, I am aware that my Formula 1 know-how is very much valued by Red Bull in general and by the Italian Toro Rosso team in particular. Last but not least I'm looking forward to not only continuing to have a great time with Dietrich Mateschitz, but also to being able to implement serious and visionary business developments together in the future."