Sauber Revamps Management Structure Ahead of Audi Era, Recruiting Former Ferrari Strategist Ignacio Rueda as Sporting Director
In a significant shake-up, Sauber has appointed former Ferrari Formula 1 head of race strategy and sporting director Ignacio Rueda to take the reins as sporting director, effective immediately. Rueda, who previously worked alongside Sauber’s new boss Mattia Binotto at Ferrari, will fill the shoes of long-time Sauber head Beat Zehnder, who has been reassigned to the role of director of signature programs and operation in 2025.
“These leadership changes infuse the team with renewed confidence as they strengthen the organisation as it prepares for future challenges and opportunities, with a bright future as a factory team ahead.”
As Sauber prepares to transform into its Audi guise in 2026, Zehnder will assume a supervisory function to ensure a seamless transition as the team evolves into its new structures. Rueda, who rose through the ranks at Jordan and Renault/Lotus before joining Ferrari, brings a wealth of experience to the Swiss squad.
Key Appointments
In another key appointment, Giampaolo Dall’Ara returns to Sauber after a six-year absence, taking on the newly created role of head of racing engineering. Dall’Ara, who previously worked at Sauber between 2000 and 2016, will oversee the race engineering department at both the team’s Hinwil base and trackside, with the aim of optimising alignment on all car performance-related topics.
These latest hirings follow a significant management overhaul at Sauber in the summer, which saw former Ferrari boss Binotto installed as chief operating and chief technical officer, while CEO Andreas Seidl and chairman Oliver Hoffmann departed the team. Jonathan Wheatley is also set to join as new Sauber team principal midway through the 2025 season, having been poached from Red Bull in the summer.
Stefan Strahnz has also been recruited from Mercedes to fill the new position of programme director.
Sauber’s Struggles and Future
Sauber is currently struggling in the 2024 Formula 1 season, languishing at the bottom of the world constructors’ championship with zero points on the board. The team is yet to announce who will partner Nico Hulkenberg from 2025, having missed out on primary target Carlos Sainz, who has opted to join Williams instead.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Formula 1 news, Formula 1 autocentre, Formula 1 calendar, and Formula 1 standings, as the 2024 season unfolds.
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