Pascal Picci[]
Pascal Picci (born 1954) is a Swiss-Italian businessman and former motorsport executive. He is best known for his role as the chairman and major stakeholder of Sauber Motorsport AG and later Sauber Group, which competed in Formula One under various guises including BMW Sauber and Alfa Romeo Racing. Picci played a central role in keeping the team afloat during periods of financial instability and was a key figure in the sale and transition of Sauber into the Alfa Romeo F1 Team. He stepped down from his position in 2021 following internal disagreements with team principal Frédéric Vasseur.
Early Life and Education[]
Pascal Picci was born in Switzerland in 1954, although he is of Italian descent. He graduated from the University of Lausanne and later earned a Master's degree in Finance from Webster University in Geneva. His early professional background was in banking and finance, where he developed a career in investment management.
Business Career[]
Pascal Picci spent much of his professional life in the financial sector, working in Geneva and later in London and New York. He held senior positions in financial services firms, with a focus on private wealth management, investments, and capital markets.
In 2004, Picci co-founded Longbow Finance S.A., a Swiss-based private investment firm. The company became known for its involvement in industrial, real estate, and motorsport-related investments. Through Longbow, Picci would later become a major figure in Formula One.
Involvement with Sauber Motorsport[]
In July 2016, Longbow Finance, under the leadership of Pascal Picci, acquired Sauber Motorsport AG from team founder Peter Sauber. The acquisition was seen as a lifeline for the struggling Formula One team, which had faced significant financial difficulties in preceding years.
Upon completion of the takeover, Picci was appointed Chairman of Sauber Motorsport AG, and became one of the leading voices in the management of the team. His leadership helped stabilize the company, secure funding, and oversee the strategic development of the team, including technological partnerships and the recruitment of new talent.
Alfa Romeo Partnership[]
Under Picci's leadership, Sauber entered into a title sponsorship agreement with Alfa Romeo in 2018. The partnership began as a branding exercise but later evolved into a full team rebranding, with Sauber competing under the Alfa Romeo Racing name beginning in 2019, though the ownership remained under Sauber Group.
Picci remained involved in the team during this period, helping secure commercial deals and ensuring the continued operation of the team from its Hinwil base in Switzerland. He was credited with maintaining financial discipline while allowing the team to grow competitively under new leadership and technical structures.
Departure from Sauber[]
In November 2021, Pascal Picci abruptly resigned from his role as chairman of the Sauber Group, shortly after the team announced the signing of Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu for the 2022 season. Picci later cited irreconcilable differences with team principal Frédéric Vasseur regarding the direction and management of the team as reasons for his departure. He expressed disapproval over the lack of consultation on key decisions and the breakdown of internal trust.
His departure marked the end of an era for Sauber, as Picci had been one of its most influential figures since the exit of Peter Sauber.
Legacy[]
Pascal Picci is remembered for playing a crucial role in preserving the existence of the Sauber Formula One team during one of its most vulnerable periods. His business acumen and willingness to invest in the sport allowed the team to continue competing at the highest level of motorsport. While his exit from the team was surrounded by internal conflict, many credit him for his pivotal role in the transition to the Alfa Romeo Racing era and for laying the groundwork for the team’s long-term future.
Personal Life[]
Pascal Picci maintains a private personal life. He is known to be based in Switzerland and speaks multiple languages, including French, Italian, and English. Beyond motorsport and finance, he is involved in various philanthropic and private business ventures.