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Sauber CEO Monisha Kaltenborn has become the first female team principal in Formula 1, taking over from team founder Peter Sauber with immediate effect.
The 41-year-old Monisha, an Austrian of Indian origin, will be trackside with immediate effect and in that capacity will be responsible for the everyday workings of the team. Her first assignment in that capacity will be the Korean Grand Prix this weekend.
Kaltenborn joined the company in 2000 to run the legal department, was appointed a member of the board of management not long afterwards, and took over as Sauber CEO in January 2010, being responsible for business operations. In late 2011 Sauber transferred a third of the company's shares into her name. Peter Sauber will continue in his capacity as President of the board of directors of all Sauber Group companies and remain responsible for the group's strategic direction.
Peter Sauber had announced some time ago that he did not wish to be on the pit wall when he turned 70, and he remained true to his word, handing over charge two days short of his 69th birthday (October 13).
"We decided a long time ago that Monisha would take over from me," he explained, "but we left the timing open. Now is a good time for both of us, so this is the right moment to pass on the baton. After all, there have been a number of races I've been unable to attend - most recently the Japanese Grand Prix, where the team put in an excellent performance. I'm in no doubt that Monisha has all the necessary skills to be an outstanding team principal, and I'm equally certain she will ensure that the values underpinning the company live on. That is very important to me."
"Naturally I'm very aware of the major responsibility I have for Peter Sauber's racing team," said Kaltenborn. "He founded the team over 40 years ago, and in the spring it will be 20 years since Sauber lined up for its debut Formula One Grand Prix. I have set my sights high and am committed to taking the team forward as Peter Sauber would want and leading it on to success."
Read more at: Indian-origin Monisha Kaltenborn becomes first woman team principal in Formula One : Sports Buzz, News - India Today
