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Iñaki Rueda

Iñaki Rueda
Born
Ignacio Rueda

(1978-08-06) 6 August 1978 (age 47)
Madrid, Spain
OccupationEngineer
Years active2006-Present
EmployerSauber Motorsport
Known forFormula One engineer
TitleSporting Director
Term2021–2023
2024–Present
PredecessorLaurent Mekies
SuccessorRavin Jain

Ignacio "Iñaki" Rueda (born 6 August 1978) is a Spanish Formula One engineer. Since 2025, he has been the Sporting Director of Sauber, replacing Beat Zehnder who is the current Director of Signature Programmes and Operations;[1] he formerly served as the Head of Strategy and Sporting at Scuderia Ferrari from 2021 to 2023.

Career

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Rueda started his career in motorsport when he raced in motocross from 1991 to 1999 while from 1997 to 2003, he was enrolled at the University of Colorado, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in Vehicle Dynamics, Controls and Systems.[2]

Eager to work in Formula One, Rueda completed a motorsport master's degree at Cranfield University, UK. Shortly after that, he worked for McLaren Electronics but he wanted to work trackside so in 2005, he joined Jordan Grand Prix, as a Systems Engineer. In 2006 he joined the Renault team, in the same role.[2]

In 2011, Rueda was appointed Chief Strategist of Lotus F1 Team, a role in which he kept until 2014. He then transferred to Scuderia Ferrari as the Head of Strategy.

In January 2021, he took on additional responsibilities on the sporting side of Scuderia Ferrari, thus becoming Head of Strategy and Sporting.[3][4] From February 2023, he was replaced as Strategy Director by Ravin Jain.[5] From January to November 2024, Reuda went on gardening leave whilst remaining with Ferrari, according to his LinkedIn.

On 30 October 2024, it was announced that Sauber Motorsport, which will be transforming into the Audi F1 Team from 2026, had hired Rueda as its new sporting director.[6] He replaces Beat Zehnder, who took on the role of director of programs and operations.[7] In his new role, Rueda was responsible for overseeing all sporting activities and managing the relationship with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).[8][9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Sauber announce personnel changes amid restructure as Inaki Rueda joins following Ferrari departure". F1. 30 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Iñaki Rueda Biography". Scuderia Ferrari.
  3. ^ "Rueda 'a decisive figure' in Ferrari success". Planet F1. 25 September 2019.
  4. ^ Wright, Andrew (11 August 2022). "Who is Inaki Rueda? Ferrari's Sporting and Strategy Director". total-motorsport.com. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  5. ^ Kukreja, Sahil (24 February 2023). "Ferrari's new Strategy Director Ravin Jain: All about the Indian-origin strategist in F1". Times of India. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  6. ^ "F1: Sauber contrata estrategista ex-Ferrari". motorsport.uol.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). 30 October 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  7. ^ "Com chegada de Wheatley, veja estrutura completa da Sauber na F1". motorsport.uol.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). 27 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  8. ^ "F1: Sauber reforça equipe com novas contratações estratégicas na liderança". www.f1mania.net (in Brazilian Portuguese). 30 October 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  9. ^ Castro, Bernardo (30 October 2024). "Sauber continua processo de reestruturação e contrata ex-Ferrari como diretor-esportivo — Notícia de Fórmula 1". Grande Prêmio (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 28 March 2025.


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