Just three days before the launch of their 2012 car, Sauber have announced that technical director James Key is to leave the company. His role will instead be covered by the Swiss team’s department heads for aerodynamics, design, performance and operations.
Englishman Key joined Sauber from Force India midway through 2010, taking over from Sauber stalwart Willy Rampf during the team’s first season following the exit of former partners BMW. He is now returning home from Hinwil to take on a new role in the UK.
“Over a period of almost two years, James has accomplished a lot for our team,” said team boss Peter Sauber. “Especially in the difficult transition period from a manufacturer team into a private enterprise, he contributed significantly to ensure the team regained stability. We would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him all the best for his future.”
Key commented: “I’ve enjoyed the past two years working at the Sauber F1 Team. It has been a very intense and interesting time, in which we had to manage the transition from a much larger team to a smaller one, and everybody handled that very well. I think the team is now well set for the future and I wish it the very best.”
Sauber insisted the running of his team’s technical department would not be unduly disrupted, adding: “A qualified team shares the overall technical responsibility. This structure has proved to work well at other racing outfits.”
Sauber’s new C31 car will be presented to the press next Monday at the Jerez circuit in Spain, where pre-season testing begins the following day.
