The domino effect due to the departure of Mattia Binotto from Ferrari continues its course. First, it was the transfer of Fred Vasseur to the ‘Scuderia’ and, now, there are more changes among the team leaders to cover the different vacancies. Thus, Sauber Audi, heiress to Alfa Romeo, announced that Andreas Seidl will be its new top manager. The German arrives from McLaren were to cover that gap they have decided to promote Andrea Stella.
The Teutonic returns, in this way, to the Volkswagen group. He was already with them at Porsche, where he was world champion in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) before coming to McLaren in 2019. And, before that, he was a member of Sauber, when it was associated with BMW in F1. “It’s great to join Sauber from January: this is a team with a rich history in Formula 1 and an organization that I know very well since I worked and lived in Hinwil for four years. I can’t wait to join the team and work with all Sauber colleagues on the ambitious goals that we have set ourselves together. I want to thank Finn Rausing and the entire Sauber Group for their choice: I hope to repay their trust with my work,” Seidl said in the official statement.
Continued ascent
Finn Rausing, Chairman of the Sauber Board of Directors, welcomed the signing. “It is a great pleasure to welcome Andreas Seidl back to Hinwil as CEO of the Sauber Group. Andreas’ experience is second to none and brings to Sauber a clear understanding of what it takes to achieve continued success. He takes over a company on an upward path and shares our commitment to continue to grow our organization: I look forward to many successful years together.”
For his part, Andrea Stella rises through the ranks of Woking. The Italian was a track engineer with Fernando Alonso at different stages and stayed at McLaren when the two-time champion chose to leave F1 for a while. Now, when Seidl leaves, he takes the reins.
The transalpine can make the British grow. “I feel privileged to take on the role of team principal in the next stage and to be part of the McLaren team. I thank Zak (Brown) and the shareholders for their trust in me and all my teammates and those who have trusted me. have supported me throughout my F1 career We are realistic about the amount of work ahead of us to move up grid positions again, but I am excited and encouraged to be on this journey alongside a team full of talent, experience, racing spirit, and dedication. I look forward to working closely with each of them, with our drivers Lando (Norris) and Oscar (PIastri), to achieve great success together and enjoy the ride,” he said in the statement.
