Ferrari's Resta to become new Sauber Technical Director

Ferrari’s SF71H has arguably been the car of the season so far, but now one of the men who played a big part in shaping it is leaving the Italian team – to move to Sauber.

Simone Resta, who held the role of Head of Vehicle Project Coordination [essentially chief designer] at Ferrari, has been appointed as the new Technical Director of the Swiss team. He will begin work on July 1, reporting directly to Sauber Team Principal Frederic Vasseur.

Resta’s arrival follows the sudden departure of former Sauber Technical Director Jorg Zander at the beginning of May.

“Simone Resta has the best profile to take on the role of Technical Director,” commented Vasseur, who also holds the title of Sauber CEO.

“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.”

Sauber enjoy strong ties with Ferrari. They use the Italian team's power unit and transmission, while driver Charles Leclerc is a member of Ferrari's development programme.

The Swiss team are currently P9 in the constructors' championship with 11 points - six more than they scored in the entire 2017 campaign.