OCTOBER 11, 2012

Kaltenborn is first female F1 team principal!

Monisha Kaltenborn will become Formula 1's first lady team principal when Peter Sauber officially passes the baton on Saturday, the day that he turns 69.

Kaltenborn, a 41-year-old Austrian of Indian extraction, joined Sauber in 2000 to run the legal department and has been CEO running business operations since 2010. Peter Sauber transferred one third of the company shares to her last year.

"This is the right moment to pass the baton," commented the man who said that he did not want to be standing on the pit wall when he was 70.

"I'm in no doubt that Monisha has all the necessary skills to be an outstanding team principal and I am equally certain she will ensure that the values underpinning the company live on. That is very important to me."

Kaltenborn responded: "Naturally I'm aware of the major responsibility I have for Peter Sauber's racing team. He founded the team over 40 years ago and in the spring it will be 20 years since Sauber lined up for its debut GP. We are the fourth oldest team in F1.

"To build up a project like this and keep it alive in a difficult environment is a tremendous achievement. I have set my sights high and am committed to taking the team forward as Peter Sauber would want and leading it to success."