Audi has welcomed Andreas Seidl as CEO of the Sauber F1 Team.
Andreas Seidl helped turn the tide of McLaren as F1 team principal in 2019, overseeing his return to the top step of the podium and laying the foundations for the team to sustain further growth.
But Andreas Seidl will join Sauber in January 2023, partly filling the void left by Fred Vasseur, who is moving to Ferrari to replace Mattia Binotto, who recently stepped down from Ferrari’s F1 team helm.
Andreas Seidl’s first job will be to oversee the appointment of a new F1 team principal for Alfa Romeo, which will revert to the Sauber name from 2024 onwards.
Andreas Seidl, 46, worked for the Swiss Sauber F1 team and was head of track operations for four years at BMW Sauber.
Additionally, his motorsport resume has seen incredible success as head of the Porsche LMP1 WEC programme, beating Volkswagen Group sister brand Audi at Le Mans.
Ahead of Audi’s partnership with the Sauber F1 Team from 2026 onwards, Audi AG Chief Technology Officer Oliver Hoffmann said he “welcomes the choice of a future partner”.
“Andreas Seidl has extensive experience in leadership roles across motorsport programmes, both on the manufacturer side and on the F1 team side.
“His track record in motorsport is impressive.”
At the end of October, Audi and the Sauber F1 Team jointly announced the news of a close partnership from 2026. Audi is new to F1 and has found a partner who wants to see success at the top of motorsport in the Sauber F1 Team. They have made a clear agreement on the division of labor.
Audi will take over the engine supply from 2026, when F1 limits its engine budget. The German factory will reportedly employ 120 people for this purpose to ensure the success of the F1 team. The vehicle will be assembled at the Sauber plant in Hinville.
Currently, the Sauber F1 Team is in partnership with Alfa Romeo, also known by its current name. The deal expires at the end of 2023, after which Sauber will run Ferrari engines for a further two seasons, although it is currently unclear what the team name will be for 2024 and 2025.
Previous rumors of a first partnership with Audi are interesting in this regard. Indeed, there have been rumors that Audi will take ownership in stages over the next couple of years, but nothing has been officially confirmed. But having worked for Volkswagen in the past, Audi is already making an impression with the arrival of Andreas Seidl.
