Fred Vasseur to leave Alfa Romeo F1 for 2023!

©AlfaRomeo

The Alfa Romeo F1 team has announced that team boss Frédéric Vasseur will depart the Swiss outfit in January 2023.

Vasseur has been at the helm of the Sauber operated team since 2017, overseeing the midfield outfit's changes and progress that culminated this season in Alfa Romeo F1 clinching its best result in the F1 Constructors' championship in a decade with sixth place this season.

"The announcement marks the final chapter of a personal and professional path of growth for both the team and the man," stated the Hinwil squad.

"Frédéric Vasseur leaves a team bolstered by new partners, a growing workforce and with a bright future as the works team for a manufacturer in the not-too-far distance.

"He leaves as a friend, a mentor, a boss that could extract the best out of his charges: and, as we enter a new chapter of the history of our team, we will miss the smiles and jokes that would accompany him as he did the rounds in our Hinwil HQ."

Read also: Williams team boss Capito and technical director Demaison step aside!

Vasseur has been mentioned as a leading candidate to replace Mattia Binotto at Ferrari, but the Frenchman made no mention of his next move in Tuesday's release, which was perhaps a tell-tale sign that Vasseur's confirmation as Binotto's successor is imminent.

"As I prepare to bring my adventure at Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN to an end, I can look back fondly at these six years together," said Vasseur.

"I owe a debt of gratitude to every single employee of the team, as they are the ones who got this team back on their feet and climbing the ladder of our sport.

"I am proud of the job we collectively have done as a team and a company, and even more so of the strong foundations we have laid for what’s to come next: but what I am the proudest of is the people that made this all possible, which in time have become friends.

"This team will always feel like home and I’ll be rooting for it wherever I go. I have learnt so much during my stint as a CEO and Team Principal and I feel each day has equipped me for what is to come.

"I know Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN will keep going from strength to strength and I’m looking forward to seeing them compete at the business end of the grid in the next few years."

As a reminder, the Alfa Romeo brand will remain in F1 until the end of next season, but the team's next chapter will involve its association with Audi, with the German manufacturer buying into Sauber as part of its effort to become an entrant in Formula 1.

Who will lead that effort at Hinwil is unclear but rumors of McLaren F1 boss Andreas Seidl imminent move to Sauber were gathering pace on Tuesday morning.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.