Andreas Seidl is a name that has become synonymous as the Team Principal of the McLaren F1 team, however from January 2023 Andreas joined Sauber Group as their CEO.
In the latest article from our series ‘F1 Crews, we will take a closer look at the life and career of Andreas Seidl and his contributions to the world of Formula One.
Andreas Seidl was born on August 17, 1976, in Passau, Germany. He grew up with a keen interest in motorsports and was soon guided to his interest in engineering. Seidl went on to study mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Munich.
Seidl’s career in motorsports began with BMW Motorsport as an ontrack development engineer, where he made his debut in F1 all the way back in 2002. He quickly worked his way up the ranks, eventually becoming the head of track operations for BMW’s successful touring car program. During his time with BMW, Seidl was instrumental in the team’s success, helping them win the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2004 and 2005.
In 2009, Seidl left BMW to join the newly formed Porsche LMP1 program. He was responsible for the development and production of the Porsche 919 Hybrid, which was a new program with not a lot of existing work. This meant that there were plentiful components taking birth in the factory. The team would go on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015, 2016, and 2017, making Porsche and the Volkswagen Group as a whole.
Seidl’s success with Porsche caught the attention of Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing. In 2018, Brown appointed Seidl as the Team Principal of McLaren Racing, where he would be responsible for the team’s overall strategy and management. In his first year with the team, McLaren finished fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, its best result since 2012. In 2020, the team finished third in the championship, securing its first podium finish in seven years. Off the track, Seidl has been instrumental in rebuilding McLaren’s infrastructure and resources. He oversaw the approval and construction of the new modern headquarters in Woking, England. He was also a key factor in bringing in the necessary funds for such a big project through partnerships with sponsors.
Seidl is also known for his hands-on approach to team management. He is often seen on the pit wall during races, closely monitoring the team’s performance and making critical decisions. His leadership style has earned him the respect and admiration of drivers past and present and team personnel.
With Andreas being the CEO of Sauber Group, which will soon merge with Audi in 2026; he will be reunited with the Volkswagen Group, giving him an opportunity to create one of the competitive teams in the future. As Seidl continues to lead in F1, there is no doubt that his impact on his current team and motorsport as a whole will be significant.
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