Sauber managing director and team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi will step down from the Formula 1 team at the end of January after an eight-year tenure.
The bespectacled Italian was added to the Sauber team’s board following its 2017 takeover by Longbow Finance, the investment company headed by tetrapack billionaire Finn Rausing.
Prior to this, Alunni Brawi worked for a long time in the world of motorsport in various roles including driver and team management positions.
He became managing director at Sauber (then Alfa Romeo) in 2022 and was appointed as team representative in 2023, following the departure of team principal Frédéric Vasseur following the Frenchman’s takeover at Ferrari.
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Recent managerial changes at the team following the takeover and impending rebrand to Audi in 2026 have led to Alunni Brawi leaving the team for a ‘new project’, as former Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley has taken over as team principal.
“It’s an emotional time as my journey with Sauber reaches its end,” said Alunni Bravi.
“Since I joined in 2017, I have seen this team grow and change beyond anyone’s imagination.
“This organization has gone through exciting and difficult times in equal measure, without losing its spirit and commitment, which is something I find inspiring, and I enjoy being able to represent the team as its public face over the last two years. Proud.
Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo Racing with Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Managing Director of Alfa Romeo F1 Team and team representative on the grid
Photo by: Alfa Romeo
“As I move on to a new project, I would like to thank Finn Rausing, everyone at Sauber and Audi and all the colleagues who put so much trust in me and all the colleagues with whom I This team that I have been working with for the last eight years is a family and the future is bright.”
Sauber is in its final year of running with its current moniker, having been used intermittently since the team was formed in 1993 around various commercial deals with manufacturers, before becoming a full works unit of Audi.
Mattia Binotto, who was installed as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer at the team last year when Oliver Hofmann and Andreas Seidl both left the team, felt that Aluni Bravi made a positive impact on Sauber in his role at the team. The essence was given concrete form”.
“Having worked closely with him for many months since my arrival at Hinwil, I want to pay tribute to Alessandro, a true team player who embodied the essence of Sauber throughout the years.
“Alessandro played a variety of roles within the team, leading it through difficult and exciting times alike.
“As he moves on to a new venture, the entire company would like to thank him for all his energy and contribution over the years and wish him all the best for the future.”
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jake boxall-legge
formula 1
Sauber
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