Audi has delivered some massive news on Tuesday afternoon as they have confirmed the signing of former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto. He’s been appointed as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer at Sauber Motorsport AG.
The Italian spent over 25 years after Ferrari before his departure in 2022. During his helm as team boss at the Scuderia, there was multiple controversies regarding strategy and team orders.
Binotto was part of Michael Schumacher’s group that won five straight Constructors’ Championships from 2000 through to 2004, working on the engine side as the team delivered a new benchmark regarding reliability at the time.
In the process, Andreas Seidl (Audi F1 CEO), who was signed from McLaren at the end of 2022, and Oliver Hoffmann (General representative), will leave the organisation. It’s believed a power struggle took place between the pair as Hoffmann tried to interfere on the operational side, something the German was unhappy with. It’s led to delays in trying to get key names into the team ahead of Audi’s entry into the sport in 2026.
Gernot Döllner is going to take the role of chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG in future.
On track, Sauber has had a very disappointing season. They are yet to score a point as the C44 has languished at the tail of the field. Despite an update in Hungary, they seem no closer to getting off the mark.
While they have managed to sign Nico Hülkenberg for 2025, the second driver has yet to be announced. Carlos Sainz is the one they want, and it remains to be seen if his former bosses signing will get that deal over the line.
There’s also suggestions by Auto Motor und Sport that Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack could be joining the project. The Silverstone-based has had a very disappointing season to date, and they were even looking at signing Mattia Binotto at one point.
Gernot Döllner
“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project.
“With his extensive experience of more than 25 years in Formula 1, he will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution for Audi.
“Our aim is to bring the entire Formula 1 project up to F1 speed by means of clear management structures, defined responsibilities, reduced interfaces, and efficient decision-making processes. For this purpose, the team must be able to act independently and quickly.
“I would like to thank Oliver and Andreas for their important work in establishing our entry into Formula 1 and their commitment in preparing it.“
