Beat Zehnder to leave Audi F1 team after 39 years with Sauber and Audi
Beat Zehnder, former team manager, is leaving Audi's F1 squad after over 600 races with Sauber.
Audi has confirmed that Beat Zehnder will depart its Formula 1 operation at the end of the 2026 season, marking the end of a remarkable 39-year tenure with the Hinwil-based outfit. Zehnder, 60, began his career with the team’s predecessor, Sauber, in 1988 as a mechanic in sportscar racing before transitioning with the team to Formula 1 in 1993. He quickly became an indispensable figure, taking on the role of team manager in 1994 and maintaining that position through 601 consecutive grands prix.
Throughout his career, Zehnder witnessed the team’s evolution from an independent Swiss squad to a BMW works outfit and eventually into Audi’s works F1 team. He was central to Sauber’s only grand prix victory, achieved by Robert Kubica at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix during the BMW era. After stepping back from his team manager role in 2022 amid Sauber’s transformation into Audi’s factory operation, Zehnder assumed responsibility for heritage and signature programs, including overseeing Audi’s new hospitality initiatives.
Audi’s official statement praised Zehnder as a mentor to countless team members and drivers, highlighting his professionalism and competitive spirit despite the sport’s relentless challenges. The team credited him with 36 World Sportscar Championship races and those 601 consecutive Formula 1 grands prix, thanking him for his outstanding service and wishing him well for the future.
Zehnder’s departure comes as Audi restructures its F1 operations ahead of the 2027 season, signaling a new chapter for the team as it seeks to build on its recent progress. His legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of the Hinwil outfit, which has grown from a modest independent team into a serious contender under Audi’s stewardship.
As the 2026 season progresses, Audi will continue to integrate its personnel and resources for the future, with Zehnder’s exit marking the close of one of Formula 1’s longest and most dedicated careers within a single team. Fans and insiders alike will watch closely to see how the team evolves without one of its most enduring figures.
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