Former Verstappen race engineer Pujolar joins Sauber

Sauber has announced it has hired Max Verstappen's former race engineer Xevi Pujolar as its new Head of Track Engineering in the team's first major signing since being bought out by Longbow Finance.

The 43 year-old has previously held engineering positions at Hispania (HRT) and Williams, but most recently worked at Toro Rosso as Verstappen's race engineer prior to the 18 year-old being snapped up by Red Bull Racing.

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With Pujolar exiting Toro Rosso in the wake of the Verstappen's promotion, Sauber has confirmed he will join the Swiss outfit from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards in the role of Head of Track Engineering.

"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.

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"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."

It is the first significant personnel acquisition since Sauber's future was secured by Longbow Finance's buy-out in July.