Seidl appointed Chief Executive Officer of Sauber Group

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Sauber has confirmed the nomination of Andreas Seidl as the group's CEO, the German starting his tenure with the Swiss company in January 2023.

Seidl will be tasked with "continuing the growth of the group as a whole as Sauber keeps establishing itself as one of the brightest sporting and industrial entities on the market".

The current McLaren F1 managing director's nomination at Sauber caps a fast and furious 24 hours during which four teams – Williams, Alfa Romeo F1, Ferrari and McLaren – have undergone management shake-ups, a turnover never seen in F1.

Before moving to McLaren in 2019, Seidl had guided Porsche's works LMP1 efforts in the World Endurance Championship, clinching several championship and three wins at Le Mans.

Read also: McLaren appoints Stella as new team boss as Seidl joins Sauber

But the 46-year-old German is no stranger to Sauber, having worked at Hinwil for several years as the F1 team's head of track operations from 2006 to 2009.

"It is great to join the Sauber Group from January: this is a team with a rich history in Formula One and an organisation I know really well from my time working and living in Hinwil for four years," commented Seidl.

"I can’t wait to join the team and work with all the colleagues at the Sauber Group on the ambitious goals we have set together.

"I want to thank Finn Rausing and everyone at the Sauber Group for their choice: I am looking forward to repaying their trust with my work."

Seidl will take over the CEO position from predecessor, Frédéric Vasseur. Together with the team, Seidl will now work on the appointment of its new Team Principal, which will be communicated in due course.

"It is an immense pleasure to welcome Andreas Seidl back to Hinwil as CEO of the Sauber Group," said Finn Rausing, Sauber Holding AG Chairman of the Board of Directors.

"Andreas’s experience is second to none and he brings to Sauber Group a clear understanding of what is required to achieve sustained success.

"He takes over a company on an upward path and he shares our commitment to keeping our organisation growing: I look forward to many years of success together."

While Sauber's press release makes no mention of its partnership with Audi, the latter praised Seidl's hiring by the Swiss outfit. .

"We welcome our future partner’s choice," said Audi chief technical officer Oliver Hoffmann. "Andreas Seidl has extensive experience in leadership roles across
motorsport programs on both the manufacturer and Formula 1 team side. His track record in motorsport is impressive."

Audi is set to enter F1 in 2026 when the sport's new engine regulations are introduced, with Sauber producing the team's chassis.

The German manufacturer also in the process of taking a majority stake in Sauber.

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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.