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McLaren's Seidl set for shock move to Audi/Sauber!

McLaren F1 boss Andreas Seidl is reportedly set to leave the Woking-based outfit to become a leading figure of Audi's F1 project.

According to Australian website Speedcafé, Seidl will leave McLaren after four years with team papaya, a move that would come in the wake of the announcement on Tuesday morning of Frédéric Vasseur's upcoming departure from Alfa Romeo F1/Sauber.

Seidl was entrusted with the reins of McLaren by chief executive Zak Brown in 2019 as part of the outfit's management shake-up and on the basis of the German's very successful spell at the helm of Porsche's LMP1 squad during which Seidl oversaw the manufacturer's success in the World Endurance Championship and at Le Mans.

Often labeled by Brown as a important architect of McLaren's turnaround in F1, Seidl has applied a low-profile but highly efficient approach that has served the team well in the past four years. His exit would be a major loss for the Woking squad.

Read also: Fred Vasseur to leave Alfa Romeo F1 for 2023!

Audi is currently in the process of setting up its F1 partnership with Sauber Motorsport, which operates the Alfa Romeo F1 team, ahead of its official entry into F1 in 2026.

The Ingolstadt firm is set to acquire a controlling stake in the Swiss outfit to which it will supply its power unit while Sauber will oversee chassis development.

Seidl's recruitment by Audi – if confirmed – would be a logical step as the McLaren team boss is no stranger to Hinwil, having served as BMW Sauber's head of track operations in F1 from 2007 to 2009.

Furthermore, Alfa Romeo F1/Sauber announced on Tuesday morning the departure in January of team boss Fred Vasseur, which opens the door for Seidl's imminent arrival.

Team manager changes are happening at a furious pace, with Seidl's potential exit making him the fourth team boss to leave a team since Mattia Binotto's resignation from Ferrari two weeks ago.

On Monday, Williams Racing announced the departure of CEO and team boss Jost Capito while Vasseur will bow out at Alfa Romeo next month.

Capito's future is unclear, but it is believed that the German is unlikely to join McLaren if Seidl's departure is confirmed.

As for Vasseur, the Frenchman is expected to pass through the golden gates of Maranello any day now.

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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.