Zander has more than 25 years of motorsport experience, including F1 positions with Toyota, BAR-Honda, Williams and Brawn, and has been with Audi since 2010.

“I am delighted to return to the Sauber F1 Team in my adopted home country of Switzerland,” said the 52-year-old German. “After many years at the top level in endurance motorsport, I am very pleased to become technical director and to undertake the challenge with Monisha Kaltenborn, the team, all the outstanding engineers and mechanics in the new era of Formula One.”

Zander’s signing follows the takeover of Sauber earlier this year by new owners and comes ahead of major changes to the F1 rules for next season, which the team hope will help them climb back up the grid after a thus far pointless 2016 campaign.

“The new Formula One regulations offer a great opportunity to point the way with innovations and technical creativity,” added Zander. “One of my tasks will be to define a stable and efficient technical organisation that evolves the potential of creativity and, therefore, the basis for the development of successful Formula One cars. Initially we obviously want to improve and establish ourselves as a team in the mid-field. Overall it is a challenge which I await with excitement and enthusiasm.”

Commenting on Zander’s appointment, Sauber CEO and team principal Monisha Kaltenborn said: “We are honoured that we have convinced such a renowned and experienced technical leader to be part of our team and plans for the future. This is a very important step for the implementation of our strategic goals, in order to guide the team into a new and successful era.

“Zander fits well into our team, he has a lot of know-how in Formula One, as well as in motorsport in general. As technical director he will have the overview as well as the responsibility for all technical departments. In our factory in Hinwil he will have the possibilities to work technically at a very high level. We are convinced we will make progress with him.”