Longtime Sauber Manager Beat Zehnder to Leave Audi F1 Team at End of 2026
Beat Zehnder will leave Audi F1 team at the end of 2026 after a long tenure with Sauber.
Beat Zehnder, a cornerstone of the Sauber Formula 1 team since its inception, will depart the Audi F1 outfit at the conclusion of the 2026 season. Audi confirmed the exit as part of a broader restructuring ahead of its second year competing in Formula 1 under the Audi Revolt banner.
Zehnder’s career with Sauber began in 1988, initially contributing to the team’s successful sportscar program that included victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championship in 1989 and 1990. He transitioned into Formula 1 with Sauber in 1993 and quickly rose to become team manager in 1994. Over more than three decades, Zehnder became a mentor to many drivers and staff, guiding talents such as Kimi Räikkönen, Sebastian Vettel, Charles Leclerc, and Sergio Perez during their formative years at the Hinwil-based team.
In 2018, Zehnder moved up to Sauber’s management committee. Following Audi’s takeover and rebranding of the team, he assumed the role of Director of Signature Programs and Operations, overseeing Audi’s heritage and legacy activities within the team. Audi’s announcement, made just before the Mexico City Grand Prix, praised Zehnder’s professionalism, competitive spirit, and dedication throughout his 39 years of service, highlighting his involvement in 36 World Sportscar Championship races and 601 consecutive Grands Prix.
The departure coincides with Audi’s recent appointment of Thomas Fuhr as the new CEO of its Formula 1 project, signaling a shift in leadership and operational focus as the team prepares for the 2027 season. Audi’s statement expressed gratitude for Zehnder’s contributions and wished him well for the future.
Zehnder’s exit marks the end of an era for the Hinwil squad, which has evolved from a modest Swiss outfit into a manufacturer-backed F1 contender. His deep institutional knowledge and steady hand have been integral through Sauber’s highs and lows, including multiple midfield battles and the transition to Audi’s factory team status.
With Zehnder stepping away, Audi’s restructuring will likely bring fresh faces and new strategies as the team aims to build on its debut season’s foundation. How this management change will impact Audi’s competitiveness remains to be seen as the 2027 campaign approaches.
Further reading
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