Austria's Berger buys Red Bull stake

Former Austrian motor racing driver Gerhard Berger has bought a 50 per cent stake in Austrian energy drink maker Red Bull's Formula One team Scuderia Toro Rosso, Red Bull said in a statement yesterday.

Berger, who won 10 Formula One races in his active time as a driver, also sold a 50 per cent stake in his shipping company Berger Logistik to Red Bull, the company said. A spokeswoman declined to comment on the financial details of the deals.

"Gerhard 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 F1 engagement," the statement said.

Red Bull's team finished seventh in their debut Formula One season last year with drivers David Coulthard from Britain and Austrian Christian Klien.