McLaren F1 boss Seidl set to take over at Sauber
McLaren Formula 1 boss Andreas Seidl is set to leave the team and take over at Sauber following Frederic Vasseur’s exit from Hinwil.
Autosport understands Seidl is set to end his four-season stint heading up McLaren’s F1 operation and take over from Vasseur, who is poised to become Ferrari’s new team boss.
The move will see Seidl prepare for a future reunion with the Volkswagen Group through Audi, which will take over the Sauber team - that currently races as Alfa Romeo - in 2026.
Seidl previously headed up sister VW brand Porsche’s LMP1 programme, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans on three occasions before returning to F1 with McLaren.
McLaren declined to comment when contacted by Autosport.
Seidl’s exit will be the latest domino to fall among the F1 team principals since Ferrari confirmed that Mattia Binotto had resigned from his position at the end of last month.
Sauber announced on Tuesday morning that Vasseur would be leaving the team in January to take up the role as Ferrari’s new F1 chief. On Monday, Williams announced that Jost Capito had stepped down as its F1 boss.
Andreas Seidl, Team Principal, McLaren, Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal, Alfa Romeo Racing, Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1, in the team principals Press Conference
Photo by: FIA Pool
It would make Seidl the fourth team principal to leave his role from the 2022 season in the space of three weeks, and bring to an end a successful stint with McLaren.
Seidl started work as McLaren team principal in May 2019 after being appointed by CEO Zak Brown, and helped lift the team out of its struggles to finish third in the constructors’ championship in 2020.
In 2021, the team scored its first victory for almost nine years at the Italian Grand Prix as Daniel Ricciardo led home Lando Norris for a 1-2 finish.
Seidl is poised to join Sauber at a time when the team is gearing up for the arrival of Audi in 2026, having secured its best constructors’ finish for a decade this year with sixth in the championship.
Sauber’s partnership with Alfa Romeo, whose name it has raced under since 2019, will come to an end following the 2023 season ahead of its link up with Audi.
The German manufacturer will work with Sauber as a strategic partner, as well as taking a majority shareholding.
Related video
Ferrari announces Vasseur as new Formula 1 boss
Why Vasseur is the right man to lead Ferrari's F1 revival
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1? Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin
How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous"
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous" Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous"
Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race
Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race
Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash
Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash
Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds
Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.