Binotto: I wouldn't have hired Hamilton, Leclerc is the Ferrari talent

Audi, which acquired Sauber as part of its entry into Formula 1, will officially be on the grid in 2026. Former Ferrari boss Binotto has been tasked with transforming Sauber’s base in Hinwil, Switzerland, into the headquarters for Audi’s F1 operation. His experience and vision will be instrumental in bringing the iconic Volkswagen Group brand into the pinnacle of motorsport for the first time as a fully-fledged team.

Audi’s entry into F1 comes at a challenging time for the Volkswagen Group, which is facing pressure in its car sales market. However, the company is no stranger to motorsport success, over the years having dominated Le Mans, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the World Rally Championship (WRC) with Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen. F1, however, represents the last major challenge for the group.

Binotto, who replaces Andreas Seidl after the Geman's brief tenure in charge, told Corriere that he views this challenge as an opportunity to start fresh: "I missed racing; I missed the concept of a team. I agreed to come back because I'm starting from a completely blank sheet of paper. That's the charm of the challenge."

Reflecting on his move from Maranello to Hinwil, Binotto emphasized the differences between Ferrari and Sauber, but also noted some parallels: "The difference is immense in everything, from size to tools. However, I find many similarities with the Ferrari of my beginnings in 1995. It’s a company where everything had to be built or rebuilt."

His goal is to instil a winning mentality within Audi’s ranks, starting from the ground up, but Binotto acknowledges that success will not come overnight: "We are at the beginning of the climb. Everest is in front of us, and now we can only see the base."

Audi is currently focused on expanding its workforce, which is about 400 people short of its competitors, and investing in young talent to build for the future.

Driver recruitment will also be key, with Nico Hulkenberg already signed. Binotto mentioned that the team is taking its time to finalise its second driver, prioritizing both experience and youth to chart a path to the top.

When asked specifically if Mick Schumacher is an option, Binotto confirmed that the young driver is being considered: "I met him and spoke to him. I have known him for a long time."

However, one of the most newsworthy revelations came when Binotto was asked about seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari: "No, I wouldn’t have taken him to Ferrari."

A big call by the former Ferrari boss, considering Hamilton's status and the universal approval of his decision to quit Mercedes for a final swansong with F1's greatest team.

He explained that Ferrari had already committed in terms of a driver: "The talent is Leclerc, and I think he’s the one who should be accompanied to the objective in some way. He said, reflecting the Italian team's long-term vision around Charles Leclerc.

This candid admission is particularly significant as Hamilton, one of the greatest drivers in the sport, has long been linked with Ferrari in rumours over the years. Binotto’s stance highlights Ferrari’s decision to focus on nurturing young talents like Leclerc, rather than bringing in an established star like Hamilton.

As Audi builds toward its 2026 F1 debut, Binotto acknowledges that the road ahead is long. He expects Audi to be competitive by 2030, drawing comparisons to Mercedes and Ferrari’s paths to the top. But for now, his focus is on laying the groundwork for Audi’s entry into the sport, with a goal of creating a team that can compete for Grand Prix wins and F1 championships in the years to come.

As for the current season, Binotto expects Max Verstappen to win the F1 drivers' championship this year but sees McLaren as a strong contender for the constructors' title, a testament to how the 2024 cost-cap-included regulations have tightened competition.

With Audi’s historic entry into F1 under his guidance, Binotto’s return to the sport marks a new chapter not only for his career but for the future of Formula 1 as well with Audi aka VW Group in the mix, and his take on Hamilton’s missed opportunity at Ferrari will surely spark debate in the paddock.