Ferrari were forced to frantically hunt for a new team principal in recent weeks, after Mattia Binotto announced his resignation from the Scuderia, only days after the team had publicly defended his position with the team.
Andreas Seidl and Christian Horner of McLaren and Red Bull respectively had both reportedly rejected the opportunity to move to Ferrari, however it was clear that the team’s number one target had always been Alfa Romeo’s Fred Vasseur.
The Frenchman has now confirmed that he will be moving to the Scuderia at the turn of the calendar year, meaning after a short hunt for Binotto’s replacement, the team have got their man.
One candidate rumoured to replace Vasseur at Alfa Romeo, formerly known as Sauber, is F1 legend Gerhard Berger, however the Austrian has been quick to rule himself out of the running for the role.
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“I am always invited to participate in various interesting projects, but no permanent positions in motorsport are in my personal life plans anymore,” said Berger.
The leading candidate, and Sauber’s favoured man to replace Vasseur for the beginning of the Audi project is reportedly Beat Zehnder, who has been part of the Sauber family ever since the 1980’s.
The Swiss has been ever present at Sauber since the team decided to enter Formula 1, working his way up from a mechanic to a team manager, the role which he still holds to this day.
Peter Sauber has added fuel to the fire of Zehnder’s potential promotion to team principal by taking to the media to complement the Swiss for his ability and potential within Formula 1.
“Beat is a phenomenon in this sport,” claimed Sauber.
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The final decision on Vasseur’s replacement will come down to Andreas Seidl, who has shocked McLaren by leaving his role as team principal to take the opportunity to become Sauber’s chief executive officer.
Silly season for F1 bosses is now in full effect, as Binotto, Vasseur, Seidl and Williams’ Jost Capito have all left their posts in recent weeks, with preparations for the 2023 season beginning in only a couple of weeks.
The Audi project, which will makes its F1 debut in 2026, seems to be too good of an opportunity to turn down for many, as the chance to spearhead Audi’s title winning dreams over the course of the next decade opens itself up to the world following Vasseur’s departure.