Valtteri Bottas from Finland, driving for Sauber C44, participated in the Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 9, Canadian Grand Prix, held in Montreal, Canada, on June 7, 2024, during the Training Day.
Sauber, a Formula 1 team, has appointed Stefano Battiston as its new Commercial Director. This change is part of Sauber’s preparations for the transition to Audi by 2026. Audi, a German automotive giant, is about to take over Sauber and enter the world of Formula 1 for the first time.
To strengthen their team, Sauber recently hired Stefano Sordo, former engineer from McLaren and Red Bull, as Director of Performance. He will work alongside James Key, Technical Director.
Starting from June 1, 2024, Battiston will assume his position and report to Sauber CEO, Andreas Seidl. Seidl is overseeing the transformation of Sauber into Audi. Battiston’s responsibilities will include leading the commercial aspects of Sauber/Audi, such as marketing, branding and content, partnerships, business development, guest experiences, and merchandise.
Battiston expressed his excitement about the Audi F1 Project, stating that Audi’s global position is impressive and he is determined to drive this project forward. He aims to create a team that serves as a pioneering platform for brands, going beyond traditional partnerships and customer engagement. Battiston sees Audi’s entry into Formula 1 as the culmination of his successful history in motorsport and is grateful for the opportunity and challenge.
Prior to his new role, Battiston served as the Chief Marketing Officer of the team under the name Alfa Romeo. He also had involvement with Audi as the Commercial Director of their F1 plans.
Seidl emphasized the importance of Battiston’s appointment in Sauber’s transition to becoming the Audi factory team in F1. He believes it is a crucial step in ensuring they are commercially ahead of their competitors. Seidl has been working with Battiston since joining the Sauber Group, and together they have ambitious goals. Their objective is to win both on and off the track.
