Motorsport: Kiwi Liam Lawson's Formula One team becomes laughingstock of racing world after bizarre name change

Liam Lawson's Formula One team is being ripped apart by the racing world after the Italian-based outfit announced its name will change from 'AlphaTauri' to 'Visa Cash App RB' for the 2024 F1 season. 

The switch comes after Visa became the first global sponsor to partner with both the newly named team and their sister squad, dominant world champions Red Bull Racing.   

It hasn't taken long for the 'unique' name to become the laughingstock of the racing world.    

Journalist Edd Straw of The Race said it is "the worst team name in F1 history," adding it "is an embarrassment to Red Bull and Formula 1 as a whole."   

"Not only does it sound fatuous, but it also showcases an avaricious lack of imagination that can only be spirit-sapping for those working for the team and signal to the hundreds of millions watching that this is not a competitor to be taken seriously," he continued. 

Meanwhile, Sky Sports' Craig Slater opted to have some fun with the bizarre new brand, saying, "If they get really fast and hit top speed on a straight, they would hit the Visa Limit."    

"And how about this. If Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda go through an entire season without having a crash it would be Visa Contactless."   

To make matters worse for F1 fans unimpressed by the new direction, Visa Cash App RB isn't the only team to line up on the grid with a new title in 2024.  

Alfa Romeo will now be known as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber after the gambling company became the team’s sole title partner.  

Whether Lawson gets a chance to drive Visa Cash App RB's soon-to-be revealed car in a competitive race is yet to be determined.   

Despite impressing during a five-race stint last season while first-choice driver Daniel Ricciardo was injured, Lawson wasn't offered the starting seat for 2024, losing out to Australia’s Ricciardo.    

Lawson will instead be the reserve driver, for both Red Bull teams, likely for a fulltime drive if either Ricciardo or fellow Visa Cash App RB driver Yuki Tsunoda fall out of favour.    

The 2024 Formula One season begins on March 2 with the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Liam Lawson's Formula One team is being ripped apart by the racing world after the Italian-based outfit announced its name will change from 'AlphaTauri' to 'Visa Cash App RB' for the 2024 F1 season. 

The switch comes after Visa became the first global sponsor to partner with both the newly named team and their sister squad, dominant world champions Red Bull Racing.   

It hasn't taken long for the 'unique' name to become the laughingstock of the racing world.    

Journalist Edd Straw of The Race said it is "the worst team name in F1 history," adding it "is an embarrassment to Red Bull and Formula 1 as a whole."   

"Not only does it sound fatuous, but it also showcases an avaricious lack of imagination that can only be spirit-sapping for those working for the team and signal to the hundreds of millions watching that this is not a competitor to be taken seriously," he continued. 

Meanwhile, Sky Sports' Craig Slater opted to have some fun with the bizarre new brand, saying, "If they get really fast and hit top speed on a straight, they would hit the Visa Limit."    

"And how about this. If Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda go through an entire season without having a crash it would be Visa Contactless."   

To make matters worse for F1 fans unimpressed by the new direction, Visa Cash App RB isn't the only team to line up on the grid with a new title in 2024.  

Alfa Romeo will now be known as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber after the gambling company became the team’s sole title partner.  

Whether Lawson gets a chance to drive Visa Cash App RB's soon-to-be revealed car in a competitive race is yet to be determined.   

Despite impressing during a five-race stint last season while first-choice driver Daniel Ricciardo was injured, Lawson wasn't offered the starting seat for 2024, losing out to Australia’s Ricciardo.    

Lawson will instead be the reserve driver, for both Red Bull teams, likely for a fulltime drive if either Ricciardo or fellow Visa Cash App RB driver Yuki Tsunoda fall out of favour.    

The 2024 Formula One season begins on March 2 with the Bahrain Grand Prix.

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