Sauber enhances F1 strategy with Rueda’s expertise
Ex-Ferrari strategy head Rueda joins Sauber F1 team as sporting director amid management reshuffle ahead of 2026 Audi transformation.
Sauber has made a significant move in strengthening its Formula 1 management structure by appointing former Ferrari head of race strategy Ignacio Rueda as its new sporting director.
This appointment marks another crucial step in the team's transformation ahead of its Audi partnership.
Strategic leadership shift
The Swiss outfit's latest management reshuffle sees long-serving sporting director Beat Zehnder transition to a newly created position as director of signature programs and operation for 2025.
Zehnder, who has been with Sauber since its F1 debut, will take on a supervisory role to ensure a smooth transition as the team evolves towards its future incarnation as Audi's works team in 2026.
Rueda brings valuable experience from his tenure at Ferrari, where he worked alongside current Sauber boss Mattia Binotto.
The Spaniard's impressive career trajectory includes successful stints at Jordan and Renault/Lotus before his role as Ferrari's sporting director from 2021 to 2023.
Engineering department restructure
In a parallel move, Sauber has welcomed back Giampaolo Dall'Ara to head its racing engineering operations.
The Italian returns to Hinwil after an eight-year absence, during which he gained experience in DTM and ran his own consultancy firm.
Dall'Ara's newly created position as head of racing engineering will see him coordinate between the team's Swiss base and trackside operations, working directly under Binotto to optimize car performance across all areas.
Broader management overhaul
These appointments are part of a wider restructuring effort that began last summer with Binotto's installation as chief operating and chief technical officer.
The team has also secured Jonathan Wheatley from Red Bull as team principal, set to join midway through 2025, and brought in Stefan Strahnz from Mercedes as programme director.
Challenges ahead
The management shake-up comes at a crucial time for Sauber, which is currently experiencing a challenging 2024 season.
The team sits at the bottom of the constructors' championship without points, and faces uncertainty over its 2025 driver lineup alongside confirmed signing Nico Hulkenberg, following Carlos Sainz's decision to join Williams instead.
These new appointments demonstrate Sauber's commitment to building a robust foundation as it prepares for its transition to Audi's factory team in 2026, despite current on-track struggles.
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