Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is returning to the grid to lead Audi’s Formula 1 project.
The 54-year-old spent 28 years with the Prancing Horses before leaving in 2022 but is making a comeback two years later to replace Andreas Seidl.
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Seidl was the chief executive officer for Audi but after 19 months in charge has been removed following concerns about the progress of Sauber, the team Audi will be taking over in 2026.
Speaking on Binotto’s appointment, Gernot Dollner, the new chairman of the boards of Sauber, said: “With his extensive experience of more than 25 years in F1, [Binotto] will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution for Audi.
“Our aim is to bring the entire F1 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.”
BREAKING: Audi announce former Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto to lead F1 Project#F1 #Formula1 PIC.TWITTER.COM/Z91WOMDSUO
— Formula 1 (@F1) JULY 23, 2024
Seidl moved to Sauber following four years with McLaren and was in charge of preparing Audi for its F1 entry in 2026 when the regulations change.
He recruited Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg for the 2025 season with a view of putting the German into the Audi seat in two years’ time, but they are yet to announce a second driver.
Sauber came second-last in the constructors’ championship last season and sit bottom of the standings in 2024 at the halfway point of the season.
Since leaving McLaren, Seidl has seen his former team become a frontrunner in races, while Sauber have gone backwards.
Binotto’s task now will be to get things back on track with Audi expecting to be competitive within three years of entering the grid.
