Audi's technical director in the World Endurance Championship is set to make a return to Sauber as part of the Swiss team's recruitment drive ahead of the 2017 season, following its recent takover by Longbow Finance.
Jorg Zander is expected to leave his position at Audi later this month, after it was confirmed the German manufacturer had cancelled its involvement in the WEC series as part of parent-company Volkswagen's decision to scale back its motorsport involvement following the emissions scandal.
Zander enjoyed a long and successful career in Formula 1, having worked at Toyota, Williams, Honda and Brawn GP among others, before leaving to set up his own engineering company in 2009. He later joined the Audi WEC team as technical director.
It's believed Sauber – where Zander held the position of chief designer during the BMW days – will confirm his return as it looks to replace recently departed technical director Mark Smith.
Zander's signing would be one of many in recent months, including head of trackside engineering Xevi Pujolar, head of aerodynamics Nicolas Hennel de Beaupreau and ex-Ferrari and Haas strategist Ruth Buscombe.
