That weekend v Hockenheim je Gerhard Berger brought Ferrari its first victory since 1990, Josu Verstappnu it was very hot when refueling, and surprisingly, both racers of the team finished on the podium at that time. Ligier, Olivier Panis in Eric Bernard. Beat Zehnder he followed it all with a little more nervousness - for the first time in a leading position in the company Sauber motorsport, the most famous part of which is today Alfa Romeo Racing.
Beat Zehnder has been with Sauber for much longer, this year marks 32 years since the then 28-year-old Swiss from Zurich got a job as a mechanic at his (still) current employer. As he admits, at the beginning of his career he knew nothing about racing, nor was he overly interested in racing. A few races in the prototype championship was enough to be stunned by the racing exhausts and Beat Zehnder soon became an indispensable link and right hand Peter Sauber.
What does the team director actually do?
I am responsible for organizing our participation in races and tests, I watch over all logistics, air travel of racers and staff, hotel reservations, car rental and the like. So I take care of the whole working environment of the team, including the hospitality and food delivery, and at the same time I am a link between the team and the FIA in all matters concerning our racers or the team itself. If necessary, I also take care of communications and partially cover public relations.
How has Formula 1 changed since you led the team?
He also changed a lot of things in F1 the internet and fast data transfer. Two decades ago, it all happened much more slowly. I remember going to Belgium by car before the race weekend, settling into a hotel, and faxes were already waiting for me there, as there were no mobile phones and computers with internet connection. Today, there is also significantly more money at stake, and people between teams are also moving with it.
What are your favorite memories as a team director?
Having a solid team this year in which both racers can rank in the top ten is our biggest achievement of still being present in the F1 Championship, despite having severe financial problems years ago. It is true that we can boast of only one victory, but also the first podium Heinz Harald Frentz in Monza they are something I will never forget. Or let’s say fifth place in our first race in Kyalami in 1993when we were still perfect greens.
Full interview with Beat Zehnder, team director Alfa Romeo Racing, you can see in the link below.
