Toro Rosso linked with KFC paint scheme switch

  • Published on 02 Aug 2017 13:53
  • comments 8
  • By: Chris Soulsby

Toro Rosso could be set for another livery change for 2018, as the Red Bull sister team  has been linked to sponsorship from KFC. This speculation is a result of Formula 2's Sean Gelael driving for the Italian team this week at F1's in-season test at the Hungaroring. 

The 20 year old Gelael has backing from the high street fast food franchise with his father, Ricardo, running the Indonesian branch of KFC - Jangonya Ayam. Ricardo Gelael was also linked to the buyout of the now defunct Manor team.

After his time in the car, Gelael seems to have impressed Franz Tost, the team principal of Toro Rosso. "His performance was very good and he did not stop improving on every lap," quoted El Confidencial. "Comparing him with Kvyat and Sainz, he was very good in braking, attacking the kerbs and in slow corners. If he continues like this he will come to F1 with success." This led to Spain's El Confidencial to wonder if " Toro Rosso paint their cars like KFC?"

Roger Benoit was more pessimistic about Gelael joining Formula 1.  "Gelael is supported by Kentucky Fried Chicken millions at home, but his F1 chances are rather low," he wrote. 

Gelael joined Formula 2 (then GP2) in 2015 driving for Carlin, switching to Campos Racing in 2016 and now Arden in 2017. In 45 race starts in the series, Gelael has achieved very little, finishing inside the points on only four occasions, one of which being a podium in Austria last year. In 2017,he lies in 17th place in the Drivers' Championship, with only three points to his name, making it unlikely that he will get into F1.

 

Chris Soulsby

MCLARENFAN1968 - You sound like a very positive person!!! If you owned a team........... and was desperate for cash as you would be, and if you were lucky enough to attract KFC or any unhealthy Global brand like this, you'd swipe there arm off to get the deal............If you haven't noticed spo... [Read more]

  • 1
  • Aug 2 2017 - 16:42

Replies (8)

Login to reply
  • Interesting.. Would be a weird livery in F1

    • + 0
    • Aug 2 2017 - 13:54
  • About as weird as a can of Red Bull or a pink BWT Force India deal .........

    • + 0
    • Aug 2 2017 - 15:55
  • The worst piece of shit to be associated with the sport that calls for top fitness and general health. What happened to all that crying over 'what kind of message the sport will send to the kiddies?' But I know the answer.

    • + 0
    • Aug 2 2017 - 16:26
    • I actually agree on this one. But then again, they still allow alcohol ads on cars, so I suppose it still gel with F1's regulations.

      • + 0
      • Aug 2 2017 - 16:45
    • If we're gonna go for fitness then alcohol and tobacco needed to go first. KFC would be a different choice for a sponsor, but I honestly care more about teams being well funded so they can compete properly. Bring back tobacco too, I don't care.

      • + 0
      • Aug 2 2017 - 18:06
  • MCLARENFAN1968 - You sound like a very positive person!!! If you owned a team........... and was desperate for cash as you would be, and if you were lucky enough to attract KFC or any unhealthy Global brand like this, you'd swipe there arm off to get the deal............If you haven't noticed sponsors are few and far between for most teams, hence why most are insolvent and go bust!

    • + 1
    • Aug 2 2017 - 16:42
    • In a sport where the main sponsors have been alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and overly caffeinated drink I find it funny for people to comment on KFC's health concerns. As far as I'm concerned KFC is the 'healthiest' out of those categories.

      • + 0
      • Aug 2 2017 - 18:08
  • Mc(Laren)Donalds would be interesting.

    • + 0
    • Aug 2 2017 - 23:44

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Prema Racing
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country ID
  • Date of b. Nov 1 1996 (28)
  • Place of b. Jakarta, ID
  • Weight 81 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar