Former Scuderia Ferrari team principal Mattia Binnotto will rejoin Formula 1 in August after being appointed Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer (COO and CTO) at Sauber Motorsport AG, leading the Audi F1 Project, the German car manufacturer confirmed on Tuesday.
On the way to Audi’s entry in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, scheduled for 2026, when new technical rules will apply, the car manufacturer brings on board former Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto.
In the capacity of Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer (COO and CTO) at Sauber in Hinwil, Binotto will report to the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG, tasked with “responsibility and accountability for the operative management and sporting success of the racing team” from early August, marking his return to Formula One.
A decision Audi describes as “part of the realignment of the control structure for the future Audi factory team.”
“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project,” outlined Gernot Dollner, CEO of AUDI AG.
Adding: “With his extensive experience of more than 25 years in Formula 1, he will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution to Audi.”
Meanwhile, the restructuring process will see Oliver Hoffmann, previously Chairman of the Boards of Directors of all Sauber companies, and Andreas Seidl, previously CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG and Sauber Technologies AG, depart.
Dollner, who in the future will take over the role of chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG, commented: “I would like to thank Oliver and Andreas for their important work in establishing our entry into Formula 1 and their commitment to preparing it.”
Further speaking on Audi reorganizing the management team for its F1 activities, he asserted: “Our aim is to bring the entire Formula 1 project up to F1 speed using clear management structures, defined responsibilities, reduced interfaces, and efficient decision-making processes. For this purpose, the Team must be able to act independently and quickly.”
Rolling Back the Time
In January 2023, Audi acquired a minority shareholding in the Sauber Group.
At the time, Sauber was competing at the pinnacle of motorsport under the Alfa Romeo branding, powered by Ferrari.
The strategic partnership established the Hinwil-based company would be responsible for developing and manufacturing the race car at its headquarters in Switzerland, planning and executing the race operations.
In addition, the AudiMotorsport Competence Center in Neuburg would be in charge of building the Formula One powertrain.
Then, Seidl took over as Sauber’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), switching from McLaren F1, where he acted as Team Principal, from 2019 until the end of 2022.
The experienced German motorsport engineer replaced Frederic Vasseur, who joined the Scuderia for the 2023 season following Binotto’s departure from Maranello.
The brands are no strangers, having cooperated on previous occasions when Audi Sport regularly used the Sauber Group high-tech wind tunnel during the Le Mans era and in the development of a Class 1 touring car for the DTM series.
The outfit welcomed a new title sponsor for the start of the 2024 season, rebranded Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber.
Moreover, last March, as part of the strategic partnership with Sauber, Audi AG announced it would acquire 100 percent of the Swiss Group, set to become the Audi F1 factory team in 2026.
Most recently, German driver Nico Hulkenberg, currently a full-time driver for Haas F1 Team, agreed to a multi-year deal from 2025 onwards, becoming the first racer to join the German automaker project.
Hulkenberg, 36, stressed: “The prospect of competing for Audi is something very special. When a German manufacturer enters Formula 1 with such determination, it is a unique opportunity. To represent the factory team of such a car brand with a power unit made in Germany is a great honor for me.”
Binotto, 54, brings valuable experience and knowledge, having built a solid career since joining the Prancing Horse in 1995 in the engine department, acting in several roles ever since.
