Mattia Binotto: “We have a long way to go”
Having arrived at Audi last summer, the former Ferrari director hopes to make Audi one of the best teams on the grid. Nevertheless, he is aware that the task will be tough, given Sauber's current performance and the many internal changes within the team.
In 2026, the German manufacturer Audi will enter the world of Formula 1 by taking over the Sauber team. While this news generates some excitement, it also comes with a certain level of concern, with many challenges to overcome to be fully ready in time. Although the project seemed promising initially, it subsequently underwent significant upheavals, which have weakened it.
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Changes in the organizational chart in the middle of the project
Initially appointed as the head of Audi F1, Andreas Seidl, a former member of McLaren, ultimately left the team last summer after disagreements over the strategy to be adopted for the German manufacturer. However, he was not the only one to leave: Oliver Hoffmann, chairman of the board, also stepped down at the same time. In this climate of instability, Audi urgently needed to recruit new talent. The company chose Mattia Binotto to lead the project. The Italian, former head of Ferrari, has already been able to observe all the work accomplished by the team since the summer. Despite his optimism, he is aware that the road will be long to reach the set goals.
« My impressions after four months are very similar to those I had after two weeks. When you arrive, first impressions are often accurate. Obviously, I have the reference of my past life, a different team, a leading team, and the comparison is inevitably direct in all areas », he explains.
« But we knew it, we know it now: the road will be long for us. We have always said that our goal is to succeed by 2030, that is, by the end of the decade. But I think that’s exactly what’s needed in terms of time to achieve it. And even this timeline, I think it will be very difficult to maintain, by the way. The road is long, we know it, and influencing behaviors might even be the most challenging. But we have started our journey. »
The Italian nevertheless wanted to acknowledge the commitment of all the staff, who are doing everything possible to ensure the project’s success and arrive in 2026 with the best possible preparation.
« The team is fantastic. The people are fantastic. I think we have a good foundation to build the future. » Despite everything, the Italian believes that, to consider the future with serenity, infrastructure changes as well as a change in mentality are necessary. « But then, you look at the difference in size: it’s 400 fewer people than in a top-level team. It’s much less manufacturing and engineering capability, with a very old simulator. A winning mentality with a different approach is now needed. There is, therefore, much to be done in terms of culture and behavior », he details.
Towards a New, More Favorable Era at Sauber?
Despite the difficulties, this new hoped-for dynamic already seems to be underway. Indeed, the team has decided to part ways with its driver duo, Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou have made way for the experienced Nico Hülkenberg, a former Haas driver, and Gabriel Bortoleto, newly crowned Formula 2 champion. A way to take inspiration from other teams, who are increasingly betting on young talents.
The Swiss team also benefited from a considerable financial contribution: 350 million euros invested by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which acquired a stake in the team based in Hinwil. Finally, despite a difficult season, Guanyu Zhou’s 8th place at the Qatar Grand Prix offers hope for the team’s future performance, a sentiment shared by Mattia Binotto.
« I must say that since I started, a lot has happened, and not just improvements on track. There was the signing of Bortoleto, the establishment of a new driver duo for next year. There was also the investment and partnership with Qatar, which represents a significant capital injection. This shows that, overall, as a team, we are going in the right direction with, I think, the right approach and mindset, aiming high, which is exactly the mindset we are discussing. »
If 2025 is expected to be another challenging season for Sauber, 2026 could well mark a turning point. In any case, Audi is putting all its effort into achieving this ambitious challenge.
