Celebrating its 600th grand prix in Imola, Sauber marked its journey from humble Formula 1 beginnings in 1993, navigating through various manufacturer and independent phases before transitioning into the Audi works team next year. Throughout this evolution, long-time sporting manager Beat Zehnder has been a steadfast presence at every race, witnessing highs like the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix win with Roberto Kubica and lows that almost saw the team go bankrupt multiple times. After Monaco, Zehnder’s streak of 601 consecutive races will come to an end as he takes on a new role as Director of Signature Programmes and Operations to bolster the team’s infrastructure and test squad.
Having spent 33 years in the paddock, Zehnder’s story is particularly intriguing given that he had no prior interest in racing, as he shares in a revealing interview with Autosport. His unconventional journey began with a mechanic job on ship engines in Switzerland, where a chance encounter with a job ad from Sauber sparked his curiosity and led him into the world of motorsport despite initial rejection for being young and inexperienced. Zehnder’s persistence paid off, securing him a pivotal role in building up Sauber’s race team in its formative years, where he and a small group of colleagues undertook the challenge of constructing cars from scratch, ultimately shaping the team’s early success in the World Sportscar Championship backed by Mercedes before the manufacturer’s shift to McLaren.
