Sauber has confirmed that Jorg Zander will become its new technical director from the beginning of the 2017 Formula One season.
Zander, the current technical chief of Audi Sport in World Endurance Championship, returns to the team which he worked for between 2006 and 2007. His arrival will fill a position that has been vacant since former technical director Mark Smith left Sauber ahead of the current campaign.
"I am delighted to return to the Sauber F1 Team in my adopted home country of Switzerland," Zander said. "After many years at the top level in endurance motorsport, I am very pleased to become Technical Director and to undertake the challenge with Monisha Kaltenborn, the team, all the outstanding engineers and mechanics in the new era of Formula 1.
"The new Formula 1 regulations offer a great opportunity to point the way with innovations and technical creativity. One of my tasks will be to define a stable and efficient technical organisation that evolves the potential of creativity and, therefore, the basis for the development of successful Formula 1 cars."
The 52-year-old, who previously worked at BAR, Williams and Honda, added: "Initially we obviously want to improve and establish ourselves as a team in the mid-field. Overall it is a challenge which I await with excitement and enthusiasm."
Zander's announcement follows Sauber's recent recruitment drive, having made a number of high-profile technical signings -- including Xevi Pujolar and Ruth Buscombe -- since the Swiss team was taken over by Longbow Finance earlier this year.
Team principal Monisha Kaltenborn said: "This is a very important step for the implementation of our strategic goals, in order to guide the team into a new and successful era. Zander fits well into our team, he has a lot of know-how in Formula 1, as well as in motorsport in general.
"As Technical Director he will have the overview as well as the responsibility for all technical departments. In our factory in Hinwil he will have the possibilities to work technically at a very high level.
"We are convinced we will make progress with him. We wish Jörg Zander a good start on his return to Sauber, for which we ensure him our full support."