You can see Audi’s long Hinwil legacy reach a rare milestone after Zehnder’s 39-year tenure. His departure closes a decades-long bond with the operation. For fans, his record links sportscar success with Formula 1 history.
At December’s end in 2026, Audi will part with Beat Zehnder after 39 years. The staff announcement connects his exit to operational changes before 2027. It marks a rare career milestone across the automotive industry. The team’s revised structure frames this next phase.
Zehnder’s 39-year path from Sauber to Audi
Zehnder joined Sauber Motorsport in 1988, as Hinwil built its sportscar programme. Sauber won Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championship in both 1989 and 1990. The Sauber sportscar legacy took shape before its Formula 1 debut. Audi’s current team structure builds on that Hinwil foundation.
He joined Sauber’s Formula 1 operation in 1993 and became team manager in 1994. That role lasted more than two decades, linking race operations with driver support. His steady presence shaped team leadership across several eras. An Audi rules debate shows the technical questions the team now faces.
Audi’s veteran figure and his paddock legacy
Zehnder joined the Management Committee in 2018, after years at the heart of Hinwil. His latest post made him Director Signature Programs & Operations, with a focus on Heritage. His work behind the scenes supported the team through repeated change. The Audi partnership announcement marks another step in its F1 era.
He mentored Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa, Sebastian Vettel, Robert Kubica, and Charles Leclerc. Across 39 years, his driver ties crossed generations in the paddock. His record includes 36 World Sportscar Championship races and 601 consecutive Formula 1 races. The Sauber revival gives context to the project he helped shape.
Audi’s departure plan ahead of 2027
Zehnder leaves at December’s end in 2026 as Audi reshapes its operations before 2027. The staff announcement ties his exit to a wider operational plan. The statement does not describe the departure as retirement. Its focus is a fresh structure for the season ahead.
Audi praised his professionalism, competitive drive, and desire to win. Zehnder’s departure closes a chapter, but his methods shaped Hinwil’s daily standards. His legacy lives through people who learned from his example. That long-service team figure leaves after a career linked to 601 consecutive F1 races.
