Audi Appoints Mattia Binotto as New F1 Chief Following Andreas Seidl’s Departure

Audi has unveiled former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto as the new leader of their Formula 1 project. The announcement came on Tuesday, marking a significant change in Audi’s F1 strategy. This transition follows Audi’s acquisition of full ownership of the Sauber team earlier this year. From 2026, the team will race under the Audi banner with a new power unit being developed in Germany. Binotto, aged 54, will step into his new role as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer at the Sauber factory in Hinwil, Switzerland, starting August 1. He will directly report to Audi’s board of directors.

Leadership Changes: Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann Exit Audi F1 Project

The restructuring also sees the departure of Andreas Seidl, the former McLaren Team Principal who had been with Sauber since January 2023 as CEO of Audi’s F1 operations. Additionally, Audi executive Oliver Hoffmann, who was managing the project, will also leave. Binotto, who previously served as Chief Technical Officer at Ferrari before becoming Team Principal in 2019, brings extensive experience to his new role. He concluded his tenure at Ferrari in 2022 after a distinguished career with the Scuderia since the mid-1990s.

Audi CEO Gernot Dollner’s Vision for F1 Team Management

Audi CEO Gernot Dollner expressed enthusiasm about Binotto’s appointment, emphasizing his extensive Formula 1 experience. “We are thrilled to welcome Mattia Binotto to lead our ambitious F1 project,” Dollner said. “With over 25 years in the sport, Mattia will play a crucial role in advancing Audi’s F1 efforts.”

Dollner further explained the motivation behind the restructuring, stating, “Our goal is to enhance our Formula 1 project with streamlined management structures, clear responsibilities, and efficient decision-making processes. This will enable the team to operate independently and swiftly.”

Driver Line-Up Update: Nico Hulkenberg Joins Audi, Future of Current Drivers Uncertain

Nico Hulkenberg is confirmed to join Audi’s F1 team from Haas at the end of the current season, describing the move as “interesting” and “exciting.” Meanwhile, the futures of Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu and Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas, who have been with the team since 2022, remain uncertain as the season concludes.