Sauber Boosts Management Team with Ex-Mercedes Programme Director Ahead of Audi Takeover
In a strategic move to strengthen its management team, Sauber has appointed Stefan Strahnz, a seasoned executive from Mercedes, as its new Programme Director. This key hire comes as the Swiss-based Formula 1 team prepares for Audi’s official takeover in 2026.
Strahnz, who spent 13 years at Mercedes, will join Sauber on October 1, reporting directly to team CEO Andreas Seidl. During his tenure at Mercedes, Strahnz held various engineering and management roles, including Chief Engineer – Cost and Commercial Programmes since December 2020.
With 23 years of experience in organisational leadership roles, Strahnz brings a wealth of expertise to Sauber. His previous stints at Lotus-Renault and Renault, as well as his early engineering roles at Toyota and BAR-Honda, make him an attractive addition to the team.
“I am delighted to welcome Stefan to the team, and I am sure that he will bring an incredible amount of experience from his previous roles, in which he won multiple races and championships, to further complement and strengthen our leadership team,” Seidl said. “With his unique experience, Stefan will play a vital role in driving the team’s overall effectiveness and prepare us on our journey to full finance regulation optimisation as we become the Audi F1 factory team.”
As Programme Director, Strahnz will focus on delivering fully streamlined and optimised F1 car programmes, from concept to track introduction. His main mission is to ensure the team’s long-term on- and off-track success.
“I am immensely proud and excited to join the talented people at Sauber Motorsport on our exciting journey to become the Audi F1 factory team in 2026,” Strahnz said. “I have experienced a similar journey in my previous roles, and I will be applying all my learnings and energy into this new and challenging programme to develop the required tools, processes, and culture for sustainable long-term success.”
This strategic appointment reinforces Sauber’s commitment to strengthening its management team ahead of Audi’s official takeover. As the team gears up for this new chapter, Strahnz’s expertise will be invaluable in driving the team’s overall effectiveness and preparing it for the challenges ahead.
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