Volkswagen Motorsport has undergone a restructuring at the management level, as Sven Smeets took over as Volkswagen Motorsport Director on September 1. He succeeds Jost Capito, who departs the company to pursue a new professional challenge.

Lukasz Urban also takes over as Commercial Managing Director from Kirsten Zimmermann, who moved into a new management role at Volkswagen AG on September 1. At the same time, François-Xavier Demaison as Technical Director and Dr. Donatus Wichelhaus as Director of Engine Development move up into the Management Board of Volkswagen Motorsport.

As Volkswagen Motorsport Director, Smeets is responsible for all of the brand’s motorsport activities, including the top-tier involvement in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The Belgian has been with Volkswagen Motorsport since 2012. He joined the team as Team Manager in the World Rally Championship and took on the role of Sporting Director in the middle of 2016.

Demaison also joined Volkswagen in 2012, since when he has been responsible for the technical development of the Polo for the World Rally Championship. As Technical Director since June 1, 2016, he is now also responsible for all Volkswagen’s other car projects within the field of motorsport.

Wichelhaus has been a member of the management team since 2005. He took over as Director of Engine Development on June 1, meaning he is now responsible for the development of all Volkswagen engines for motorsport purposes. Andre Dietzel, Head of Communications and Marketing, Matthias Meyer, Manager of Workshop, and Eduard Weidl, Head of Customer Sports, continue in their roles within the Volkswagen Motorsport management team.