Mattia Binotto returns to F1: new position from Aug. 1
Mattia Binotto to head the Audi F1 projecto
A little more than a year and a half after bidding farewell to Ferrari, Mattia Binotto is about to return to Formula 1: the 1969-born engineer will officially enter from August 1 in the project involving Audi’s entry into the Circus, and which, after the German automaker’s acquisition of Sauber Motorsport’s shares, will be completed in 2026, when Audi will field two cars under its own name and its own power unit.
"As part of the complete acquisition of all shares in Sauber Holding AG and the consequent realignment of the control structure, the management of the official Audi team è is being realigned,” Audi itself explained in a statement issued on Tuesday.”
On Aug. 1, Mattia Binotto will join the Audi F1 project and assume leadership in Hinwil".
Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi AG, expressed great satisfaction with the entry of the former Ferrari wall boss into the team: "I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project,” he explained. “With his vast experience of more than twenty-five years in Formula 1, he will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution to Audi".
Binotto will thus be, starting in August, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer of Sauber Motorsport AG, with responsibilities concerning the operational management and sporting success of the team that currently bears the name of its founder, Peter Sauber. Binotto himself, the note further explains, will report directly to the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG.
"Our goal è to give the entire F1 project clear management structures, defined responsibilities and efficient decision-making processes" added Döllner, who as part of Audi’s acquisition of Sauber Motorsport will assume the position of chairman of the Swiss Group’s board of directors.
Therefore, Oliver Hoffmann, now former chairman of the Boards of Directors of all Sauber-related companies, and Andreas Seidl, CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG and Sauber Technologies AG until next July 31 and no later, are leaving the team. "I would like to thank Oliver and Andreas for their important work and commitment in preparing it" said Gernot Döllner.
