Jost Capito stepping away from Williams
Jost Capito announced his departure from his roled of CEO and team principal at Willaims after two years in command of the F1 team.
Meanwhile, the Grove-based team also confirmed technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison will leave his position behind having joined in 2021.
These changes follow a year that saw Williams finish last in the Constructors’ Championship with just eight points.
Speaking about his decision to leave, Capito said: “It has been a huge privilege to lead Williams Racing for the last two seasons and to lay the foundations for the turnaround of this great team.
“I look forward to watching the team as it continues on its path to future success.”
Williams will confirm a new team principal and technical director ahead of the new F1 season, while Matthew Savage, chairman of Williams owners Dorilton Capital, said: “We would like to thank Jost for his hard work and dedication as we embarked on a major transformation process to begin the journey of reviving Williams Racing.
“We’re grateful that Jost postponed his planned retirement to take on this challenge and now he will pass the reins on for the next part of this staged process.
“We would also like to thank FX for his contribution and wish him all the best for his future as he moves on.”
Fred Vasseur to step in as new Ferrari team principal after Alfa Romeo exit
Fred Vasseur will lead the Ferrari team in 2023 as team principal, following the announcement of his departure from Alfa Romeo after six seasons.
Just weeks after 53-year-old Mattia Binotto announced his resignation after a disappointing season in 2022, Vasseur will take over and lead the team’s bid to catch up to Red Bull next season.
Speaking about his new role, Vasseur said: “I am truly delighted and honoured to take over the leadership of Scuderia Ferrari as Team Principal,” said Vasseur.
“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.”
This comes after Vasseur led Alfa Romeo to sixth place in the Formula 1 constructors’ standings this season – marking the team’s best finish in a decade.
Ferrari CEO, Benedetto Vigna added: “We are delighted to welcome Fred Vasseur to Ferrari as our Team Principal. Throughout his career he has successfully combined his technical strengths as a trained engineer with a consistent ability to bring out the best in his drivers and teams.
“This approach and his leadership are what we need to push Ferrari forward with renewed energy.”
Andreas Seidl leaves McLaren to join Alfa Romeo
Taking Fred Vasseur’s position at Alfa Romeo is Andreas Seidl, who is set to oversee Audi’s entry into Formula 1 in 2026 with his latest contract.
He has left his role as McLaren team principal with immediate effect and will become chief executive of Sauber starting in January.
Seidl replaces Frederic Vasseur after the Frenchman opted to move to Ferrari – as announced on Tuesday – but will not fill the team principal position, which is yet to be announced.
Speaking about his new role, Seidl said: “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.
“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.”
Andrea Stella appointed as McLaren team principal
As Andrews Seidl makes his move, McLaren decided to promote current Executive Director of Racing, Andrea Stella, into the role of Team Principal from 2023.
Stella has been working with the McLaren team since 2015, having first held a role as Head of Race Operations before being promoted to Performance Director and was moved into 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.
Speaking of their latest appointment, McLaren Racing CEO, Zak Brown, said: “I’m delighted that Andrea Stella will step into the Team Principal role and lead our F1 technical and operational programme. Andrea is a highly talented, experienced and respected member of our team with a strong track record of leadership and success in Formula 1.
“His move into this role is a great example of the strength in depth we have in our team, and I’m excited to be working more closely with him with a joint focus on moving up the grid and winning races.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Andreas. He has provided great leadership for the team and has played a significant part in our F1 performance recovery plan and ongoing journey to return to the front of the grid. I thank him for the transparency throughout the process which gave us time to plan accordingly.”
Speaking about his move into the role of Team Principal, Stella then said: “I feel privileged to take on the Team Principal role as the next stage of being part of the McLaren F1 Team. I am grateful to Zak and the Shareholders for their trust in me and to all my colleagues and those who have supported me throughout my F1 career.
“We are realistic about the amount of work ahead of us to move back up the grid, but I am excited and encouraged that I am in this journey together with a team full of talent, experience, racing spirit and dedication.
“I look forward to working closely with each of them, Lando and Oscar, to together achieving great success and enjoying the journey.”
