Key Highlights:
- Beat Zehnder, Sauber’s long-serving team manager and current Director of Signature Programs and Operations, will exit the organization at the end of the year after 39 years of service.
- Audi confirmed the departure ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend as part of a broader organizational restructuring ahead of the 2027 Formula 1 season.
- Zehnder attended 601 consecutive Grands Prix and mentored numerous Formula 1 stars, including World Champions Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel.
Veteran Swiss engineer and sporting stalwart Beat Zehnder is set to depart the Hinwil-based Formula 1 organization, now operating as Audi, at the end of the current calendar year. The announcement marks the conclusion of an extraordinary 39-year tenure with Sauber Motorsport, during which the 60-year-old became one of the most recognizable and enduring figures in the global motorsport paddock.
Nearly Four Decades at Hinwil: From Sportscars to Formula 1
Zehnder first joined Sauber Motorsport in 1988, five years prior to the Swiss operation’s expansion into Formula 1. During his early years with the outfit, he played an integral role in Sauber’s sportscar racing achievements, celebrating victories at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans and securing the World Sportscar Championship title.
When Sauber made its formal Formula 1 debut in 1993, Zehnder was present on day one. His leadership quickly elevated him to the position of Team Manager in 1994, a vital operational post he maintained for decades before earning a promotion to the team’s management committee in 2018. Over his extensive trackside career, Zehnder achieved an astonishing operational milestone by working at 601 consecutive Grands Prix, cementing his status as an anchor of reliability in the high-turnover world of motorsport management.
Mentoring Champions and Navigating the Audi Transition
Throughout his time in the Formula 1 paddock, Zehnder worked closely with an illustrious lineup of drivers. He oversaw the early developmental stages of future World Champions Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, while also managing Grand Prix winners including Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, Robert Kubica, Felipe Massa, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen. As the team embarked on its transformation into Audi’s official works entry, Zehnder shifted away from the pit wall into a factory-based leadership role, overseeing heritage and operational projects as Director of Signature Programs and Operations.
Kenya Considers Dedicated Licence for Prediction Markets Under Updated Gambling Framework
The German manufacturer confirmed on Friday, ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, that Zehnder’s tenure will conclude as part of a strategic realignment. In an official statement, Audi announced that Zehnder will leave the organisation following the restructuring of its operations ahead of the 2027 season
.
Audi offered high praise for Zehnder’s profound impact on the squad’s development and culture over the past four decades, stating:
“Beat has been a mentor to hundreds of team members and drivers who have passed through Hinwil over the years.”
Advertisement
“During his tenure, he enjoyed both the highs and lows of working in such a demanding sport, never losing his professionalism, his relentless competitive streak and desire to win.”
“We thank him for 39 years of outstanding service and wish him all the very best for the future.”
Why This Matters
Beat Zehnder’s departure signifies the end of a foundational era for the Hinwil-based outfit. As Audi methodically assumes control and shapes the team into a factory works competitor, significant organizational changes are underway behind the scenes to streamline management ahead of future campaigns leading into 2027. Zehnder’s institutional knowledge, spanning nearly four decades from independent privateer racing through multiple manufacturer partnerships, provided continuity that few figures in Formula 1 history have ever matched. His exit underlines Audi’s determination to rebuild the team’s internal operational architecture from the ground up.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Beat Zehnder join Sauber?
Beat Zehnder joined Sauber Motorsport in 1988, working on the organization’s World Sportscar Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans campaigns before helping launch its inaugural Formula 1 team in 1993.
Why is Beat Zehnder leaving the Audi Formula 1 team?
According to Audi’s official statement, Zehnder is leaving the organization at the conclusion of the year following an internal restructuring of operations ahead of the 2027 season.
Which notable drivers worked with Beat Zehnder at Sauber?
Over his decades as Team Manager, Zehnder worked with World Champions Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, as well as race winners Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, Robert Kubica, Felipe Massa, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.
