Sauber has named Stefano Battiston as the team’s new Formula 1 Chief Commercial Officer as it continues to ramp up its preparations to transition into Audi in 2026.
Sauber is pressing ahead with ratified plans to welcome Audi as the German automotive giant completes an entire takeover to venture into the sport for the first time.
Now, Battiston has been announced in his position effective from June 1 2024 and he will report to Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl, who is overseeing the morph into Audi.
Battiston will lead Sauber/Audi’s commercial fronts, including “marketing, brand & content, partnerships, business development, guest experiences and merchandise.”
“The Audi F1 Project is going from strength to strength,” Battiston said.
“Audi’s position on the global stage is solid and impressive, and I’m both delighted and determined in equal measure to drive this project forward.
“We are forming a new team with a mission of becoming a pioneering platform for brands, opening the door to a culture that will transcend traditional partnerships and customer engagement. Audi’s entry into Formula One is the pinnacle of their highly successful history in motorsport, and I’m grateful for this opportunity and challenge.”
Battiston, who served as the team’s Head of Marketing under the Alfa Romeo moniker, was intertwined with Audi as the Commerical Director for its budding F1 plans.
Seidl added: “The appointment of Stefano is another important step in our transition to become the Audi F1 factory team from 2026, and it represents a solid foundation upon which we will continue to build as we prepare for our entry into Formula One with Audi, ensuring that we are commercially ahead of our competitors.
“I have worked with Stefano since I joined the Sauber Group: together, we have ambitious goals, and welcoming Stefano to this program brings us one step closer to realising them.
“There is a race on track and off track; we want to win them both.”
