Ferrari’s head of vehicle project co-ordination Simone Resta is leaving to Sauber, the team has announced.
“Scuderia Ferrari informs that on May, 31st, Simone Resta will leave his position as Head of Vehicle Project Coordination at Scuderia Ferrari, to take on a different role with another F1 team,” said team principal Maurizio Arrivabene in a statement.Sauber later confirmed Resta will join them to take over the position of technical director on July 1st. The position has been vacant since Jorg Zander left the team earlier this month.
“Simone Resta has the best profile to take on the role of technical director,” said Sauber team principal Frederic Vasseur.
“His arrival at Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team marks a significant step ahead of a long term project that aims at strengthening the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team in order to achieve ambitious results.”
Resta has been with Ferrari since 2001 and became the team’s chief designer at the end of 2014.
Don't miss anything new from RaceFans
Follow RaceFans on social media:
2018 F1 season
- McLaren staff told us we were “totally crazy” to take Honda engines in 2018 – Tost
- ‘It doesn’t matter if we start last’: How Red Bull’s junior team aided Honda’s leap forward
- Honda’s jet division helped F1 engineers solve power unit problem
- McLaren Racing losses rise after Honda split
- Ricciardo: Baku “s***show” was Red Bull’s fault
Matteo (@m-bagattini)
28th May 2018, 11:24
I wouldn’t define Sauber a “rival” :D!
Todfod (@todfod)
28th May 2018, 15:22
My exact thoughts. He just left for Ferrari’s B team or C team in a more senior role.
Matteo (@m-bagattini)
28th May 2018, 11:25
Uhm, sorry, I’ve got a different (probably outdated) text in my RSS reader!
Sundar Srinivas Harish (@sundark)
28th May 2018, 13:16
Yeah, I’d read “rival” too, and I was like what?
Mike (@mrvco)
30th May 2018, 17:25
Good news for Sauber… being classified as a ‘rival’ to Ferrari :-)
KGN11
28th May 2018, 12:21
Ferrari needs to get a head start on the 2019 regs.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th May 2018, 12:43
Just a one-month gardening leave period? So, is this move being facilitated by Ferrari to help out Sauber, or is it genuinely poaching, I wonder.
Shimks (@shimks)
28th May 2018, 13:03
I doubt it is a full-on pouch, considering the engine deal between them. It just wouldn’t be good for business.
Shimks (@shimks)
28th May 2018, 13:04
@phylyp
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th May 2018, 13:21
My thoughts as well, @shimks
P
28th May 2018, 13:46
It’s part of Ferraris big plan to take over Sabuer. Next year it will be “Ferrari Jr”.
Mark in Florida
28th May 2018, 14:43
Ferrari B team . Ferrari is just solidifying their hold on Sauber this way . It will help Sauber in the short term but what about the future. BMW almost killed Sauber when they decided to leave F1 high and dry. Maybe it will work out for Sauber, I hope that it will because I like that little team.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th May 2018, 18:16
They replaced Manor as the little underdog you can root for 😊
Biggsy
28th May 2018, 19:27
I thought this guy is one of the most important factors behind Ferrari’s return to form.
Why in the world would they send him to Sauber.
And I say “send”, because I honestly think this was Ferrari’s action, not Sauber’s.
Nick (@notacop)
28th May 2018, 22:37
Isn’t it the best way to keep an eye over them?
Todfod (@todfod)
29th May 2018, 9:48
If I had to guess.. I think it’s a long term strategy that Ferrari wants to use Sauber as a test team for updates and different solutions, so might as well send one of their better resources there to make the most of the partnership. I think the lack of testing has hurt Ferrari more than others, so maybe this is their way of making up for that testing deficit.
formevic
29th May 2018, 11:13
Marchionne who lives in Switzerland, will soon left CEO role at Maranello and project buy Hinwil team. He’s than starting reinforce engg. department of Sauber /ALFA ROMEO to a new great adventure. Possibile further step, all Ferrari racing F1 join Alfa Romeo and … Ferrari quit and go to other beaches..