Formula 1 is preparing to say goodbye to one of its most familiar and respected figures. Beat Zehnder, the Swiss engineer whose career has been woven into the fabric of Sauber for almost four decades, will leave the Hinwil-based operation at the end of the 2026 season as Audi continues reshaping its organisation ahead of a new chapter.
Few people have witnessed as much of Sauber's journey as Zehnder.
Having joined the Swiss outfit in 1988, five years before its Formula 1 debut, he has been a constant presence through its evolution from an ambitious privateer operation into a factory-backed team carrying the Audi name.
His departure marks the end of an extraordinary association spanning 39 years, 601 consecutive Grands Prix and countless drivers, engineers and team members whose careers crossed his path.
From Sauber's beginnings to an F1 institution
Zehnder's relationship with Peter Sauber's organisation began in its sportscar days, when he was part of the programme that secured victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championship.
When Sauber opened its Formula 1 doors in 1993, Zehnder was there from day one. He became Team Manager the following year and joined the team's management committee in 2018, earning a reputation as one of the paddock's most enduring and recognisable personalities.
Over the years, his professional journey brought him into contact with an impressive collection of talent.
World champions Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel passed through his orbit, as did race winners Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, Robert Kubica, Felipe Massa and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.
His contribution extended well beyond the sporting results. For generations of personnel at Hinwil, Zehnder was a familiar face, a source of experience and a link between the team's different eras.
When Audi took over Sauber to establish its works Formula 1 operation, Zehnder moved away from the day-to-day race team environment and into a factory-based position, taking responsibility for the manufacturer's heritage activities as Director of Signature Programs and Operations.
Audi pays tribute to 39 years of service
Announcing his departure on Friday, ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, Audi confirmed that Zehnder would leave the organisation "following the restructuring of its operations ahead of the 2027 season".
The manufacturer was generous in its acknowledgement of the Swiss engineer's contribution, highlighting the influence he had on the many people who passed through Hinwil during his tenure.
Read also: Audi appoints former Mercedes man CEO of F1 engine F1 division"Beat has been a mentor to hundreds of team members and drivers who have passed through Hinwil over the years.
"During his tenure, he enjoyed both the highs and lows of working in such a demanding sport, never losing his professionalism, his relentless competitive streak and desire to win.
"We thank him for 39 years of outstanding service and wish him all the very best for the future."
Teams change names, ownership and ambitions, but the people who carry their history are considerably harder to replace. Zehnder's 39 years at Hinwil represent precisely that kind of legacy.
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