Mattia Binotto has played down speculation linking Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri with Audi, insisting that the Formula 1 project is fully satisfied with its current driver pairing of Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Rather than viewing the rumours as a reason to consider changes, the Italian believes the fact that leading drivers are being associated with Audi shows that the credibility of the project is growing.
Both Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri have featured in driver-market speculation in recent months. Carlos Sainz has an obvious connection with Audi after holding serious talks with the manufacturer in 2024, while Oscar Piastri has more recently been mentioned as a possible future target should circumstances at McLaren change.
Mattia Binotto responds to Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri Audi rumours
Carlos Sainz discussed a potential move to Audi during 2024 while searching for a new seat after Ferrari announced the signing of seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. The Spaniard ultimately chose Williams, where he secured two podium finishes during his first season with the Grove team before its performance declined in 2026.
Williams’ difficulties this season have inevitably revived questions over Carlos Sainz’s longer-term future, with some wondering whether he could reconsider the Audi opportunity that was available before his move to Grove.
Oscar Piastri has also been linked with Audi more recently. The Australian has been mentioned as a potential future option if he were to leave McLaren, while separate speculation has suggested that Max Verstappen could eventually become part of the Woking team’s plans.
Despite those rumours, Mattia Binotto made clear that Audi is not actively looking for a replacement for either of its current drivers.
“First, I’m not reading the newspapers myself, or not reading much, so I’m hearing from you,” Mattia Binotto told the media when asked about the links with Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri.
“Carlos is certainly a person whom I know very well, and it’s somehow easy and obvious to link him to Audi, but I can only say that I’m very happy with the line-up we have.”
Binotto sees Hülkenberg and Bortoleto as two fast drivers
Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have often been described as a classic Formula 1 combination of an experienced veteran alongside a promising young talent. Mattia Binotto, however, does not believe that description fully reflects why Audi values the pairing.
“Often, when discussing Gabriel and Nico, what I hear is that it is a good mix between experience and, on the other side, the young driver,” Mattia Binotto continued.
“Instead, I would judge them differently. They are two very fast drivers, and I am happy because they are fast drivers, both of them, so we’ve got a good line-up.”
Nico Hülkenberg has already indicated that he remains open to continuing his career with the German manufacturer beyond his current agreement, with the experienced driver discussing the possibility of extending his Audi F1 career beyond 2027.
Sainz and Piastri links show Audi’s credibility is growing
Rather than being concerned about the constant speculation surrounding possible future drivers, Mattia Binotto believes it reflects positively on Audi’s progress. A project capable of attracting the names of established Formula 1 stars is increasingly being viewed as a potential destination rather than simply a long-term gamble.
“The fact that other drivers are linked to our team, I can only be very happy with because it is showing the credibility of our project is improving,” Mattia Binotto said.
His comments come at a time when the 2027 Formula 1 driver market is already generating considerable speculation around several leading names and teams.
For Carlos Sainz, the Audi connection is particularly straightforward because of his previous negotiations with the manufacturer and his established relationship with Mattia Binotto. Nevertheless, the Audi boss has given no indication that discussions have reopened.
Oscar Piastri’s situation is even more speculative. The Australian remains a key part of McLaren’s plans, and recent rumours surrounding Max Verstappen have created questions about the Woking team’s future line-up without producing any confirmed change.
Audi has no immediate reason to change its driver line-up
For now, Mattia Binotto’s position is clear. Audi believes it already has the driver combination required to continue developing its Formula 1 project, with Nico Hülkenberg providing extensive experience and Gabriel Bortoleto building his career at the highest level.
The links with Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri therefore appear more significant as an indication of Audi’s growing status within the paddock than as evidence of an imminent driver change.
As Mattia Binotto sees it, that is encouraging in itself. If established drivers are increasingly being associated with Audi, it suggests the team’s ambition to become genuinely competitive is being taken more seriously from outside the organisation.
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