Red Bull Rejects $2.3 Billion Offer to Sell Racing Bulls F1 Team
Red Bull Racing has reportedly turned down a massive $2.3 billion offer from investors seeking to purchase their Formula One sister team, Racing Bulls. The Faenza-based outfit, which began as Minardi before being bought by Red Bull in 2005, remains a crucial part of the company’s long-term motorsport strategy despite mounting external interest.
The Austrian energy drink giant first entered Formula One two decades ago by acquiring Jaguar Racing and rebranding it as Red Bull Racing. Since then, the team has evolved into one of the most dominant forces in F1 history, securing eight Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ titles. In 2006, Red Bull expanded its operations by purchasing Minardi and turning it into Scuderia Toro Rosso (now Racing Bulls). The sister squad was designed to serve as a training ground for young drivers within Red Bull’s development program.
Throughout the years, this secondary team has played an essential role in nurturing future stars like Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, and Daniel Ricciardo — all of whom began their F1 journeys at Toro Rosso before stepping up to Red Bull Racing. However, maintaining the two-team structure has not been without its challenges. Red Bull’s current lineup issues, particularly with finding a consistent second driver to partner Verstappen, have once again brought the team’s driver development system into the spotlight.
At present, Yuki Tsunoda’s future in Formula One looks uncertain, as the Japanese driver risks losing his seat at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar has been linked with a potential promotion to Red Bull’s main team for 2026, following an impressive debut year. The situation highlights how Racing Bulls continues to serve as a vital stepping stone for young drivers aiming to graduate to Formula One’s top tier.
Despite its fluctuating on-track fortunes, Racing Bulls remains a highly valuable asset for Red Bull’s wider motorsport operations. According to British F1 journalist Joe Saward, who revealed the latest developments in his Green Notebook blog, the company receives frequent purchase offers — about one per month. The $2.3 billion bid reportedly rejected by Red Bull is the highest so far, surpassing a $2 billion proposal received in August.
Saward emphasized that the true value of the team extends far beyond its market price. Racing Bulls plays a key role in Red Bull’s broader racing ecosystem, which supports young talents from karting through junior formulas, ultimately preparing them for success in Formula One. Selling the team would therefore disrupt the pipeline that has consistently produced some of the sport’s most accomplished drivers.
With Formula One’s popularity and franchise value continuing to rise globally, investor interest in team ownership is at an all-time high. Yet, Red Bull’s decision to reject multiple billion-dollar offers underscores its long-term commitment to the sport and its vision for sustained dominance. For now, it appears that both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls will remain firmly under the Red Bull banner, continuing their legacy as one of the most successful partnerships in modern motorsport.
