Almost two years after Audi’s big announcement that they’d join Formula 1, things aren’t exactly rosy. Their team, still called Sauber, is dead last in the constructors’ championship without a single point this season.
It’s a far cry from the optimism of their initial announcement. The team hasn’t cracked the top ten since the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. What’s on track just isn’t up to snuff, despite the German engine facility’s best efforts. And with the season underway, they hoped to secure Carlos Sainz, but he weighed his options and decided to look elsewhere. This shows that even with Audi’s financial power, their project isn’t convincing top drivers or team members to jump onboard.
The takeover of Sauber by Audi was supposed to make things better, but it’s been more complicated than expected, especially with former owner Finn Rausing still having a stake. With less incentive for Rausing to invest in a team he’s stepping away from, the team struggled for momentum. To fix this, Audi fast-tracked the takeover earlier this year, gaining full control and starting to make some crucial hires.
However, the troubles didn’t end there. The on-track performance continued to be a concern, and a power struggle between Andreas Seidl and newcomer Oliver Hoffmann added to the complexity. Hoffmann was blaming Seidl for poor development, and Seidl felt Hoffmann’s involvement was just making things more political. Audi’s management had enough of the internal bickering and decided to make a bold move: they removed both Seidl and Hoffmann and brought in Mattia Binotto.
Binotto, former Ferrari team principal, brings significant experience and expertise, especially for a major manufacturer that builds both its chassis and engine. With Binotto now reporting directly to Audi, the company aims to streamline operations and make quicker, more efficient decisions. This might be exactly what Audi needs to turn things around before their official 2026 debut.
Binotto doesn’t start until August 1, but there’s no time for him to settle in slowly. Audi has to act fast to improve their performance. There could be new hires and a significant recruitment drive. Plus, Binotto might try to convince Sainz to change his mind and join the team. Success in these areas could be just the boost Audi needs to get its project back on track.
Audi’s decision to bring in Binotto is a high-stakes move that shows their commitment to getting their Formula 1 project right. With key hires and a focus on rapid improvements, they hope to shed their last-place status and become serious contenders by 2026. The next few months will be critical as they aim to lay a strong foundation for future success.
