Beat Zehnder, the iconic figure who has dedicated decades of service at the Hinwil base, is set to leave the Audi Formula 1 squad at the conclusion of the 2026 season. This major decision was officially announced by the team amidst a massive operational restructuring ahead of the German manufacturer's full works entry.
Zehnder's remarkable journey in motorsport began back in 1988 when he was hired by team founder Peter Sauber as a mechanic for their sportscar programme. When the Swiss outfit made the leap into Formula 1 at the start of the 1993 season, Zehnder moved alongside them, quickly establishing himself as an indispensable pillar within the organisation.
Stepping up as team manager the following year, he went on to achieve an incredible milestone of attending 601 consecutive Grands Prix. In his hands-on role as team manager and sporting director, Zehnder stood at the very heart of Sauber's dramatic highs and lows, including the BMW works era which yielded Hinwil's historic maiden grand prix victory with Robert Kubica at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix.
After dedicating over three decades to the race team, he later transitioned to lead the outfit's heritage activities as Director Signature Programs & Operations, overseeing crucial preparation work before reaching this final chapter. Audi formally announced that the 60-year-old veteran will depart at the end of December 2026.
The team expressed their deepest gratitude in an official statement, highlighting that Zehnder has served as a mentor to hundreds of team members and drivers throughout his tenure. Motorsport.com reported that the team praised his unwavering professionalism, competitive spirit, and remarkable service spanning 36 World Sportscar Championship races and 601 consecutive F1 events.
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