Sauber is continuing to strengthen its personnel for Audi’s entry into Formula 1 from the 2026 season. After the Swiss racing team from Hinwil announced the signing of Stefano Sordos as its new Performance Director almost four weeks ago, the next new addition was presented on Friday morning: Stefan Strähnz comes from Mercedes.
“The Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber is strengthening its management team and is continuing its ambitious path of restructuring towards its future as Audi’s F1 works team with the signing of Stefan Strähnz, who comes from Mercedes,” said Sauber’s press release on Friday. Strähnz will take on the newly created position of ‘Programme Director’ and will join the team as of October 1, 2024.
Stefan Strähnz: Great Formula 1 successes with Mercedes
Strähnz can now look back on almost 20 years of experience in Formula 1, having worked for Toyota, BAR, Renault and Lotus, among others. With Mercedes in particular, he celebrated great success in various roles from 2012 onwards, including, of course, the numerous drivers’ and constructors’ world championship titles between 2014 and 2021. Most recently, Strähnz worked as ‘Chief Engineer – Cost and Commercial Programmes’ at Mercedes since December 2020.
“I am very proud and excited to join the talented people at Sauber Motorsport on our exciting journey to become the Audi F1 works team in 2026,” Strähnz announced in the press release, adding: “In my previous roles, I have experienced a similar journey and will bring all my knowledge and energy to this new and challenging program to develop the necessary tools, processes and culture for sustainable long-term success on and off the track. It is a real privilege to work for such an iconic brand as Audi with all its previous technological and motorsport successes. I look forward to taking a leading role in our ambitious goals of winning championships in Formula 1.”
“I am delighted to welcome Stefan to our team and I am sure that he will bring an incredible wealth of experience from his previous roles, in which he won several races and world championships, which will further complement and strengthen our management team,” said Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl, celebrating Strähnz’s appointment.
It is obvious what tasks he will take on at Sauber and Audi. Seidl describes: “With his unique experience, Stefan will play an important role in increasing the overall efficiency of the team and preparing us on our path to optimizing financial regulations when we become the Audi F1 works team. Working closely with myself, the management team and all of our expanding technical, operational and financial departments, Stefan’s main task is to deliver fully streamlined and optimized F1 car programs, from concept to track launch.”
Strähnz is by no means Audi’s first high-profile signing. The Ingolstadt-based company has also secured the services of Max Verstappen’s chief mechanic Lee Stevenson, among others. All information can be found here: