Problems at Sauber or Why did the chairman resign? One thing he says he can’t get over

Pascal Picci has been an important figure for Sauber in recent years. Not only did he serve as chairman, he also played a key role in saving the team in 2016 when it was sold to investors Longbow Finance. However, he recently announced his resignation. Why?

Back in the days when Picci was heavily involved in the team’s rescue he worked closely with Islero Investments, a consortium of entrepreneurs led by Finn Rausing. As the F1 Sport website very accurately mentions – the Swiss team runs in Formula 1 under the Alfa Romeo name, but this is just the result of a partnership. In reality, it’s technically still Sauber.

Before the Mexican Grand Prix, however, Picci surprised the entire team when he announced that he was stepping down from the aforementioned role. But why would he do that?

At the time, he refused to talk about the reasons for his resignation. Now, however, he sort of outlined between the lines why he actually resigned as chairman of the board and what bothers him the most.

In an interview with Motorsport, Picci revealed that he no longer wants to be associated in any way with the team’s boss, Frédéric Vasseur. Picci has suggested that Bottas’ arrival is not the right move and he is also bothered by the severing of his links with Ferrari. Indeed, he was supposed to be one of the Sauber representatives who would bring the team closer to the Italian stable.

“The way the drivers were chosen was one of the points that broke the atmosphere between me and the current management. I’m sorry that Antonio will no longer be here and I’m glad that Zhou will be coming. I’ve known the Chinese youngster and his family since we wanted to bring him to the Sauber Driving Academy, ” Picci told Motorsport.

Antonio Giovinazzi is leaving Alfa Romeo and we won’t see him in Formula 1 next year, as he has simply lost his seat. However, his form has been on the up this season and he has maintained a great pace, especially in qualifying.

It was Vasseur who admitted that the team took this step mainly because of the financial aspect. In the following season, his place will be taken by Kuan-yu Zhou, who will bring with him a rich sponsor and a lot of money.

Although Picci is uncomfortable with the driver situation, he admits in an interview that he still has full confidence in Sauber’s owners. He believes that current owner Finn Rausing knows what he is doing and the future of the team is in good hands.

“He is free to make decisions, he represents the shareholders and he is a reliable person who puts all his passion and energy into it,” Picci adds in the interview.

“I am calm about the future of the team because the owners of the team are passionate and very committed people whose number one priority is to protect the employees who make up the team. My resignation must therefore in no way become a cause for concern for the Sauber employees. I am sure of that,” he concludes.

Sources: Motorsport, F1 Sport