Audi Announces Departure of Long-Serving Team Figure Beat Zehnder

Audi has confirmed that Beat Zehnder will depart the organization at the end of December 2026, ending a storied 39-year association with the Hinwil-based operation. This move comes as part of a broader operational restructuring aimed at optimizing the team's performance and management structure heading into the 2027 season.

Why it matters:

Zehnder's exit represents more than just a personnel change; it is the closing of a chapter for the team's institutional history. Having witnessed the evolution from Sauber to the current Audi era, his departure signals that the organization is pivoting toward a new corporate identity and a modernized leadership framework to better compete at the pinnacle of motorsport.

The details:

• Legacy of Success: Joining Sauber Motorsport in 1988, Zehnder was instrumental in the sportscar program that secured victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championship in 1989 and 1990.
• F1 Leadership: He transitioned into Formula 1 in 1993 and spent over two decades as team manager, providing stability through numerous regulation changes and ownership shifts.
• Driver Mentorship: Throughout his tenure, Zehnder worked with and mentored several of the sport's most prominent figures, including Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel, and Charles Leclerc.
• Administrative Reach: His most recent role as Director Signature Programs & Operations focused on the team's heritage, while his career statistics include 36 World Sportscar Championship races and 601 consecutive F1 Grands Prix.

What's next:

This transition is a calculated step in Audi's long-term strategy to refine its F1 operations. As the team prepares for 2027, the focus will shift toward integrating new leadership and processes that align with Audi's overarching goal of championship contention. While Zehnder's professionalism and competitive drive will be missed, the restructuring is viewed as a necessary evolution for the team to move beyond its legacy and establish a dominant presence on the grid.