Sauber Motorsport appoints Florian Büngener as Chief Communications Officer as it ramps up Audi F1 factory team structures

Sauber Motorsport will take another step towards becoming the Audi factory team in 2026 as Florian Büngener is appointed Chief Communication Officer, effective from September 1st, 2024. Büngener will head Sauber’s, as well as the Audi F1 Project’s, communications department from the team’s Hinwil base as the organisation approaches the most important juncture in its history.

In his role, Büngener will oversee and direct the team in charge of all motorsport communication activities, including those related to Audi’s power unit development in Neuburg; in addition to Sauber’s increasingly pivotal corporate and CSR messaging.

Büngener boasts extensive experience in the world of motorsport and automotive, with roles at ABT Sportsline and Fiat & Abarth before an almost eight-year stint at Hyundai Motor Europe, where he most recently covered the role of Head of PR & Communications, in which he drove the brand’s innovative approach to PR & Communications.

Mattia Binotto, COO/CTO of Sauber Motorsport and the Audi F1 factory team: “Bringing Florian onboard helps us put another important piece of the puzzle in place, as Sauber continues growing into the Audi factory team which will debut in 2026. His approach, experience and drive will be fundamental as we not only communicate our activities but, mainly, we tell our story and our values to the growing audience of Formula One. Florian joins the team to lead our growing communications department and will help it soar to new heights.”

Florian Büngener, Chief Communications Officer of Sauber Motorsport: “The Audi F1 Project is one of the most exciting developments in motorsport, if not in the whole sport industry at this stage, and I am pleased and determined to help it as it enters a pivotal moment ahead of 2026. The team has already moved on the path towards progressive and customer-centric communication beyond the racetrack, and l’m focused on accelerating this process ahead of the debut of Audi’s factory entry.”