F1 | Audi: Binotto increasingly the central figure. Only a supporting role is being sought
Following the recent departure of Jonathan Wheatley, Mattia Binotto has also taken on the role of team principal at Audi F1 and will retain this position moving forward. The German manufacturer is now searching for a figure capable of assisting the Italian engineer during certain Grands Prix that he will not attend.
Audi has begun its return season in Formula 1 by alternating strong flashes of performance with less convincing moments. This is entirely normal for a team that, in many respects, is still undergoing a restructuring process after a name change, a shift in ownership, and the beginning of a new chapter that is expected to lead it into contention as a top team in the coming years.
On track, the R26 cars have demonstrated promising chassis characteristics, although there is still ground to recover in terms of the power unit. The team is awaiting the opportunity to introduce the ADUO, theoretically expected from the Monaco Grand Prix, although in practical terms it is now anticipated to arrive in July. At the same time, there are solid certainties when it comes to the driver line-up.
What is currently evolving is the team’s structure at the highest level. Jonathan Wheatley’s departure from Audi has reshaped the management pyramid, with Mattia Binotto — head of Audi’s Formula 1 project — stepping into his role. Initially, it seemed reasonable to assume this would be an interim solution until a suitable replacement for Wheatley could be identified. However, that will not be the case.
Mattia Binotto confirmed in Suzuka that he will remain team principal of the Audi F1 team and that no replacement for Wheatley will be sought. Instead, the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer will look for a figure capable of supporting the Italian engineer when he is not present at certain Grands Prix.
Binotto will occasionally remain in Hinwil to focus on operations at the factory, continuing the transition and transformation from Sauber to Audi not only in name, but also in practical and structural terms within the organization competing in the Formula 1 world championship.
“For the future, I think we are not looking for a new team principal,” said Binotto. “I will continue to cover this role, but I will need someone to support me during race weekends, because I will not always be present myself. I need to focus more on the factory, where there is more to transform — I would say not just to develop, but to transform. So, support during race weekends is certainly necessary.”
“If you look from the outside, operationally this weekend the team structure is organized. And it is not the individuals who make the difference. It can be me or someone else: the team will still be capable.”
According to Binotto, the team already has a solid organizational foundation. At Suzuka, several details left the Italian engineer satisfied, even though the team did not score points, with Nico Hulkenberg finishing just outside the top ten.
“I would not be concerned about the future because of individuals. If you look at the overall team performance, once again it was a great team performance. We executed very good pit stops this weekend. And from the pit wall, I would say that overall the management was good.”
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