After years with Scuderia Ferrari, Mattia Binotto moved to Hinwil, where he will lead the Audi F1 project. This new venture will see him bring a world-renowned manufacturer to the grid, announced in 2022 for entry in 2026. Joining Sauber in August 2024, the Italian manager revealed the troubling state of the future Audi team.
Taking over from Seidl and Oliver Hoffman, Mattia Binotto faced a dual challenge as both executive and technical director to revive the team. It was a complex process, as the team had been scoreless for many races and ended 2024 with only 4 points, earned by Zhou Guanyu in Qatar.
Speaking to Autosport, Mattia Binotto recounted his initial visits to Hinwil and his first experiences at Sauber’s headquarters. “Not only were there no points, but there were no plans or developments either; the team was almost frozen,” said the Swiss.
Early signs of recovery
Focusing on immediate improvements, Sauber paused its work on the 2026 project to prioritize developing the 2024 car. This step was crucial to identify strengths and areas for improvement ahead of 2025. With an update introduced in Las Vegas, Sauber managed to secure its only 4 points of the year in Qatar. While acknowledging these points as modest, Binotto stated that they reinvigorated the team. “The importance of the current season wasn’t just about avoiding a zero-point finish,” he said, “but ensuring the development direction was the right one.”
Mattia Binotto looks ahead to 2026 with Audi
Mattia Binotto is striving to balance the immediate need to compete with the long-term project. With Audi’s support, the team aims to become a top contender by 2026. “Today, I see a team more confident about what’s needed,” Mattia Binotto concluded, “and we are ready to further develop the current car to build a competitive future.”
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