A whirlwind 24 hours in Formula 1 saw an unprecedented sequence of movements in the Team Principal market – with McLaren driver Lando Norris and Williams racer Alex Albon paying tribute to their out-going chiefs Andreas Seidl and Jost Capito in the wake of the tumultuous series of changes.
With Ferrari having announced in November that they would be parting ways with Team Principal Mattia Binotto for 2023, it was Williams who launched a rapid chain of movements in the team boss stakes on Monday, announcing that Capito and Technical Director FX Demaison would be leaving the squad ahead of the start of next season.
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Tuesday morning then saw Ferrari announce current Alfa Romeo Team Principal Fred Vasseur as Binotto’s replacement – which then triggered McLaren confirming Seidl’s departure to Alfa Romeo as the new CEO of Sauber, as Andrea Stella stepped into the role of McLaren Team Principal.
In the wake of those events, Norris reflected on his time alongside Seidl – who joined McLaren in the same 2019 season as the Briton – writing on social media: “It’s been mega working with you these last few years. I’ve never seen our team looking as strong as it is now and some of that is credit to the work you’ve done. Best of luck in the new job mate, I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
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Capito, meanwhile, was instrumental in bringing Albon into the Williams organisation, with the Thai driver paying tribute to his “great friend” following the news of his departure.
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“We only had one year working together but in that time you were not just a Team Principal but also a great friend,” wrote Albon. “Thank you Jost for your faith in me this year and all the support that that came with. Wishing you the very best in the future.”
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Capito’s departure means that inbound American racer Logan Sargeant won’t have a chance to race under the German’s stewardship. But with Sargeant having been brought through the single-seater ranks in recent years with the support of the Williams Driver Academy, the Floridian expressed his gratitude to Capito for the “trust” placed in him on social media.
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“Jost, thank you for having the trust and belief in me throughout my time in the academy and helping me on my path to F1. He gave me an opportunity to show my potential and race in Formula 2. He has been a great team leader, and I wish him the best in whatever the future may hold!”
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