24 November 2023 , 14:30
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Formula 1 paddock legend Josef Leberer is walking away after nearly four decades as a top physiotherapist.
The Austrian fitness and nutrition coach first began to work in the sport in the 1980s. He rose to prominence as a key ally to Ayrton Senna as his physical trainer up to the Brazilian's untimely death in 1994.
He went on to work with plenty other famous names through the decades. Alain Prost, Mika Hakkinen, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel are the other F1 champions who have been guided by Leberer during their careers.
The latter two were during their times with the Sauber F1 team, since he joined them in 1997. He has remained with the Hinwil-based squad, currently branded as Alfa Romeo, ever since.
But this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be his last as a physio and coach. Sauber has announced that he will take on a new ambassador role from next year.
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As "a man with a million stories", Leberer's new role will be to "make his expertise open to team partners and fans to provide a glimpse into our sport and provide something akin to a time capsule of eras long gone by – for years to come".
Leberer said: "Formula 1 has been my life for 36 years, and Sauber my home for 27. I have been through a lot with the team, and I am looking forward to this new chapter in my relationship with it – and in my life.
"As a Sauber Motorsport ambassador, I hope I can show the passion that has animated me throughout my career, and that I can bring to life the incredible stories that I have been part of in so many years in Formula 1. I want to show what this sport is really about, and hopefully inspire new generations of fans to be involved with a sport that has meant, and still means, everything to me."
Team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi added: "Josef is a legend of the sport, an example of commitment and expertise that has been through more than three decades of Formula 1 - one of those figures our sport ought to celebrate. He is more than just a trainer, he played a part in some of the most historical moments of motorsports and embodies the legacy and heritage of F1.
"In his role, and by his own personal nature, Josef has never been someone to look for public attention. Such a wealth of knowledge, however, deserves to be shared with the world, and I hope he will be able to use his new role as Sauber Motorsport ambassador to bring these stories to light and share them with our partners and fans."