F1 works team loses a veteran: Beat Zehnder is leaving Audi
At the end of the year, the Audi works team will lose a well-known icon in Hinwil: Beat Zehnder, who has been with the Swiss racing team since its very inception, is set to leave the team.
This article is an automatically generated English version. The
Beat Zehnder war Jahrelang als Teammanager tätig
Foto: Audi F1 Team
Beat Zehnder war Jahrelang als Teammanager tätig
© Audi F1 Team
After 39 years, Beat Zehnder will no longer be working for Switzerland’s only Formula 1 team; the long-serving team manager, who most recently held the post of ‘Director of Signature Programmes & Operations’, will leave the team at the end of December 2026. As Audi explains in a statement, the departure is “part of the restructuring ahead of the 2027 season”.
In the statement, the team thanks Zehnder for his service and says: “Beat has been a mentor to hundreds of team members and drivers who have worked in Hinwil over the years.” The Swiss national, who will soon turn 61, was hired in 1988 by team founder Peter Sauber and initially worked as a mechanic in the team’s sports car programme. When the team entered Formula 1 in 1993, he remained on board and took on the role of team manager in 1994.
In 2018, he was appointed to the board; since the end of 2024, he had been responsible, as ‘Director of Signature Programmes & Operations’, for the deployment of the historic cars and all associated activities. He experienced his final Grand Prix as team manager in Abu Dhabi in 2024.
Recommendations
“During his tenure, he experienced both the highs and the lows of working in such a demanding sport, without ever losing his professionalism, his tireless fighting spirit or his will to win,” the Audi statement continues.
By the time he leaves, Zehnder will have been part of the Hinwil-based team for 36 World Sportscar Championship races and 601 Formula 1 Grands Prix. “We thank him for 39 years of outstanding service and wish him all the best for the future,” the team concludes.
Topic of the week
Soon-to-be world champion Kimi Antonelli: The inevitable will then follow in Mexico
The 20-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli had the chance to secure the 2026 World Championship title at the US Grand Prix. He did everything right: victory in Texas. The title celebrations have nevertheless been postponed. Until Mexico.
TV Program
Seen already?
Don't miss out on any highlights: The Speedweek newsletter, sent out twice a week, delivers the latest news, exclusive commentary and all the important dates from the world of motorsports - directly into your inbox
Highlight Videos
ServusTV Media Library
Mexiko 1986: Eine Legende wurde geboren!
29. Okt. | 1:49 Min
27. Okt. | 3:15 Min
26. Okt. | 50:14 Min
Klien: Das sind die „Mutkurven“ von Austin
25. Okt. | 3:18 Min
Kimi Antonelli: „Das Ergebnis, das wir brauchten“
25. Okt. | 2:48 Min
25. Okt. | 2:51 Min
Wie die Formel 1 die USA eroberte
25. Okt. | 3:25 Min
Wie Mercedes-Jungstar Antonelli die F1 erobert
25. Okt. | 3:00 Min
Events
All Formula 1 EventsPast Singapore Grand Prix Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapur 09.–11.10.2026Past US Grand Prix Circuit of the Americas, USA 23.–25.10.2026Live
Mexican Grand Prix Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexiko 30.10. – 01.11.2026Next up Brazilian Grand Prix Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Brasilien 06.–08.11.2026Las Vegas Grand Prix Downtown Las Vegas Street Circuit, USA 19.–21.11.2026
Past Singapore Grand Prix Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapur 09.–11.10.2026Past US Grand Prix Circuit of the Americas, USA 23.–25.10.2026Live
Mexican Grand Prix Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexiko 30.10. – 01.11.2026Next up Brazilian Grand Prix Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Brasilien 06.–08.11.2026Las Vegas Grand Prix Downtown Las Vegas Street Circuit, USA 19.–21.11.2026
Formula Cars News
All News
Newest Articles
All ArticlesNew New New New New New New
