Sauber does understand Vasseur: 'On an offer from Ferrari you have to go'

Frederic Vasseur's departure to Ferrari is seen to be a matter of time, but the big question is who should succeed the Frenchman at Alfa Romeo/Sauber. The Swiss Blick spoke to Peter Sauber, the team's former owner (he was bought out in 2016, ed.). Sauber understands that Vasseur is choosing to leave for Italy.

Whether Sauber is surprised by Vasseur's imminent departure? "Yes and no. If you get an offer from Ferrari, you have to go." At the same time, he makes an important comment. "Anyone who knows the history of Ferrari - all the way back to the company's founder Enzo - knows that team bosses usually have short lives. With one exception, Jean Todt, who was at the helm there for more than 12 years!"

Sauber is not revealing who are candidates to replace Vasseur from 2023. "I'm glad I don't have to do that job!" He would also not be surprised if Audi already wants to influence who the successor should be. Indeed, it is assumed that Audi will take over the team in 2026. Alfa Romeo enters its last year as the team's namesake in 2023. What the 2024 and 2025 seasons will look like in terms of the team's name is still unclear.

Successor already in place?

With team manager Beat Zehnder, Alfa Romeo/Sauber has a very experienced man in house. The 57-year-old boss has been involved with the Sauber team for many years and thus has all the knowledge to manage the team well. Peter Sauber calls Zehnder 'a phenomenon', although he thinks it would be unwise to appoint him as the new team boss. Not because he could not do it, but mainly because it will be at the expense of his expertise in other, equally important, areas.