Pascal Picci, an Italian-Swiss entrepreneur and president and CEO of Longbow Finance S.A, a Swiss company operating in the financial investment sector, joined Alfa Romeo in July 2016.

It was a revolutionary year, in which Peter Sauber left the F1 circus after 24 years, while the team, however, maintained its entire organization, except for the new president Picci.

His figure has played a fundamental role among those who saved the Swiss team in 2016, a year in which the economic situation was very complicated, and in the first part of the season the team failed to score even a point.

Shortly before the Mexican GP, ​​news came from a Swiss broadcaster that the president of Sauber Holding, Pascal Picci, has resigned from his charge because he didn’t agree with Fred Vasseur's management.

During an interview with the Italian edition of Motorsport.com he explained the reasons for his departure.

"I do not want to be associated with the management of Fred Vasseur in the future,” he said.

Although he refused to provide further explanations regarding their disagreement, he hinted that one of the main reasons for what happened was the choice of the 2022 line-up.

"The way in which the drivers were chosen was one of the points that broke the table between me and the current management.

“I am sorry that Antonio is no longer here, and I am happy that Zhou will arrive. I have known the Chinese youngster and also his family ever since we wanted to take him to the Sauber Driver Academy, as well as [evaluate] the commercial opportunities that he can open up," Picci explained.

The Italian-Swiss manager didn’t openly say it, but it seems Sergio Marchionne’s project to make a closer bond with Maranello, a bond that has never materialized for the team, has been betrayed, and that is one of the reasons of why he left.

Speaking about why the owners pondered a sale, Picci said: “What happened at the Belgian GP is still an open wound.

“Having had a three-lap non-race behind the safety car allowed Williams to earn points that took away almost any chance of regaining their position in the constructors' championship. Spa was an important watershed for us: it was one of the main reasons why we decided to give up F1 and to sell.”

"He is free to make choices, he represents the shareholders and is a reliable person who puts all his passion and energy into it,” he said.

“I was placed in the minority and I drew my conclusions. Finn remains as trustworthy to me as the other people who represent the company. Without hesitation, I sincerely wish the best possible for the whole team.

“I am calm about the future of the team because the owners of the team are enthusiastic, and very passionate people, whose number one priority is the protection of the staff who make up the team.

“My resignation, therefore, must in no way become a cause for concern for the Sauber staff. Of this I am sure.”

Pascal Picci seemes to have found himself in the minority in the choices of the team and so he decided to leave the scene, after a very strong dualism with the team principal was established, but maybe he would be ready to return if anything changes in the future.