Ex-Williams designer joins BMW Sauber.

Former Williams chief designer, Jorg Zander will return to F1 in July, when he officially joins the BMW Sauber F1 team.

Zander left Williams back in March due to 'personal reasons', having only been at the team for around seven months. Under his new role, he will head up the design of the Swiss based teams racing car and will be accountable to chassis technical director, Willy Rampf.

"The development of the BMW Sauber F1 Team continues to move forward, and that includes adding a chief designer to our staff line-up," said BMW team boss, Mario Theissen. "We are certain that in Jorg Zander we have found the right man for this pivotal position. His experience will be an important asset to us."

Zander meanwhile is eager to join the team, where he will know a good proportion of the BMW staff, from his time with Williams-BMW, prior to the two parting company at the end of 2005.

"The BMW Sauber F1 Team is in its set-up phase, which presents a major challenge. It isn't just a matter of technology but of laying down the structures and processes as well. Drawing on my experience, I would like to do my bit to support the team on its way up," he explained.

After gaining a degree in mechanical engineering at Cologne's University of Applied Sciences, Zander devoted himself exclusively to motor racing at the end of 1990, starting with the design and race deployment of rally cars, touring cars and GT models. Zander launched his F1 career with Toyota, where he was appointed head of chassis and hydraulic engineering in 1999. In 2002 he moved to BAR-Honda to become chief engineer for mechanics and transmission, and in September 2005 was appointed head of design at Williams.