After more than five years in the Zurich Oberland, a hilly south-eastern part of the canton of Zurich, Frederic Vasseur is moving to Italy. In 2016 he started his Formula 1 adventure at Renault, but soon lost the power struggle against Cyril Abiteboul. So he was free when he arrived in Hinwil in mid-July 2017.
$15 million more
Not everyone sheds a tear for Fred Vasseur now. With the happy 6th team place (same points as Aston Martin), the managing director of Sauber Motorsport AG has achieved the sporting goals after the brutal 9th place in the 2021 Formula 1 season. And because the sport has had a golden year, the financial difference between sixth and seventh place is 15 million dollars!
The fact that Fred Vasseur is now arriving in Maranello is certainly also because of Vice World Champion Charles Leclerc, who went made his Formula 1 debut with Fred Vasseur’s Sauber team back in 2018. After Mattia Binotto’s departure, the Monegasque would certainly like the idea of once again working with the French manager. And according to Blick, Fred Vasseur to Ferrari is imminent. He has apparently also bought a house near Maranello
Swiss German-language daily newspaper Blick spoke to Peter Sauber (79) about Fred Vasseur’s departure:
Are you surprised?
Peter Sauber: “Yes and no. Well, if you get an offer from Ferrari, you have to go! But if you know the history of Ferrari – back to the company founder Enzo – then you know that the team bosses usually have a short life. With the exception of Jean Todt, who was able to stay there for more than twelve years!”
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Is Audi already getting involved? And who will be his successor now?
Peter Sauber laughs: “I’m glad I don’t have to solve this task!”
The Swiss who sold the major shareholding stake of Sauber back in 2005 can also imagine that Audi (from 2026 on the road with Sauber) might already have an influence. Or will they be looking for an interim solution for two years? That’s where care is taken in the super-modern factory in Hinwil. And team owner Finn Rausing will also have an important say.
Why is Zehnder not a solution?
A logical solution would be sports director Beat Zehnder (will soon be 57). Since Sauber’s GP entry in 1993, nobody has known the company better than the man from Zurich! Peter Sauber still praises his always important and loyal employee today: “Beat is a phenomenon in this sport!”
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