Xevi Pujolar who had a guiding hand in Max Verstappen’s entry into Formula 1 with Toro Rosso has been appointed Head of Track Engineering for Sauber as from the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Swiss team announced in a press release: “The Sauber F1 Team is pleased to confirm the appointment of Xevi Pujolar as new Head of Track Engineering. The 43-year old Catalan started at the Sauber F1 Team headquarters in Hinwil after the summer break and will work in this capacity from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards.”
“Pujolar has worked for several Formula 1 teams; previously he worked as Senior Race Engineer at Scuderia Toro Rosso. Paul Russell, who is in the role of Chief Race Engineer on an interim basis, will be back in his previous position as Head of Performance Integration.”
Pujolar was reportedly fired by Toro Rosso when Verstappen was promoted to the Red Bull team. Pujolar is said to have been instrumental in dividing the Faenza based team into two factions, namely his and Verstappen’s side of the garage, and on the other side Carlos Sainz and his crew.
At the time of Pujolar’s dismissal, Verstappen, a Red Bull driver by then, told De Telegraaf, “I think for [Pujolar] it was more of a surprising goodbye. I am very happy that I am now at Red Bull.”
Verstappen added, “For me there was nothing personal going on at Toro Rosso, but it is strange that after my departure two engineers were immediately dismissed.”
Pujolar says of himself, “I have an approach to problem identification and solution finding that is scientific, methodical, and practical. I like working in a team role where I can bring expertise to bear under-pressure and in difficult or sometimes inevitably chaotic situations.”
“I work effectively in small and large teams planning ahead in a structured cooperative way. I am highly motivated and ambitious to succeed.”
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