F1 drivers respond to team principal changes as Norris lands new boss

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F1 drivers have responded to the team principal merry-go-round with three significant moves taking place yesterday, including at Mclaren. Executive Director of Racing Andrea Stella is now the team’s new Team Principal from next season, replacing Andreas Seidl, with the Italian working his way up after joining the McLaren in 2015.

He first worked as Head of Race Operations before being promoted to Performance Director and then his most recent role as Racing Director. Before joining McLaren, Stella worked at Ferrari for 15 years, taking on the role of performance engineer for Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen and then race engineer for Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso, who had Stella as his race engineer from 2010-14.

Alonso, a driver who has swapped from Alpine blue to Aston Martin green for the season ahead, also took to social media to congratulate Stella on the promotion. “I’m so happy for you Andrea,” the two-time champion posted.

Stella took up the role at McLaren vacated by Andreas Seidl, who will become Sauber’s new Chief Executive Officer in January. Lando Norris, who worked with Seidl throughout his time at the Woking-based outfit, said: “Farewell Andreas! It’s been mega working with you these last few years.

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“I’ve never seen our team looking as strong as it is now and some of that is credit to the work you’ve done. Best of luck in the new job mate, I’m sure I’ll see you around.” Once Seidl is in place, Sauber – who will become Audi’s factory team in 2026 – have said he will focus on working on the appointment of the squad’s new Team Principal.

“It is great to join the Sauber Group from January: this is a team with a rich history in Formula 1 and an organisation I know really well from my time working and living in Hinwil for four years,” said Seidl. “I can’t wait to join the team and work with all the colleagues at the Sauber Group on the ambitious goals we have set together.

“I want to thank Finn Rausing and everyone at the Sauber Group for their choice: I am looking forward to repaying their trust with my work.”

Fred Vasseur was appointed Ferrari’s new team principal, replacing Mattia Binotto from January 2023. The 54-year-old, who led Alfa Romeo to sixth in this year’s constructors’ championship this year, in what was the team’s best finish for a decade – was Ferrari’s leading candidate to replace him. Zhou Guanyu, who was managed by Vasseur throughout his debut year, took to social media to acknowledge his now former mentor.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and this team, Fred,” he wrote. “It’s been an honour working with you!” 

A thrilled Vasseur, who will reunite with Charles Leclerc after working with him in 2018, said: “I am truly delighted and honoured to take over the leadership of Scuderia Ferrari as Team Principal.

“As someone who has always held a lifelong passion for motorsport, Ferrari has always represented the very pinnacle of the racing world to me. I look forward to working with the talented and truly passionate team in Maranello to honour the history and heritage of the Scuderia and deliver for our Tifosi around the world.”

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