Mattia Binotto joins Audi F1 Project as Andreas Seidl departs

Binotto was removed from his position as Ferrari team boss at the end of the 2022 F1 season, after the Maranello squad's earlier promise that season evaporated due to reliability and race execution errors.

He has been under the radar since then, but now is back into the F1 paddock as he has joined Sauber-Audi in a senior role as the German marque gears up to its F1 debut in 2026.

The announcement also pointed out that Andreas Seidl who joined Sauber as CEO will leave his role.

Audi said in a statement: "Preparations for entering the highest class of motorsports are going full speed ahead at Audi. As part of the complete takeover of all shares in Sauber Holding AG and the associated realignment of the control structure, the management of the future Audi factory team is now being renewed. On August 1, the former F1 team head Mattia Binotto is joining the Audi F1 project and will take on its leadership in Hinwil."

Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG, commented: “I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project.

"With his extensive experience of more than 25 years in Formula 1, he will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution for Audi," he added.

Audi statement went on: "Following his university degree in mechanical engineering at EPFL in Switzerland, the Italian immediately joined the F1 test team of Ferrari in 1995. He subsequently had various positions, from chief engineer to manager of the engine department and technical director. In 2019 he was additionally appointed as team head of Scuderia Ferrari.

"In future, Mattia Binotto will be Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer (COO and CTO) in the leadership team of Sauber Motorsport AG, with responsibility and accountability for the operative management and sporting success of the racing team. Mattia Binotto will report to the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG.

"The decision for Mattia Binotto is part of the realignment of the control structure for the future Audi factory team. This realignment ensures the autonomy and independence of the Audi F1 project. In this context, Audi is reorganizing the management team for its F1 activities," the statement added.

Döllner, who will take the position of chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG in future, continued: "Our aim is to bring the entire Formula 1 project up to F1 speed by means of 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.

The statement also revealed other changes in the structure of Audi's Formula 1 project: "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, are leaving the project as part of the realignment."

On these changes Döllner commented: "I would like to thank Oliver and Andreas for their important work in establishing our entry into Formula 1 and their commitment in preparing it."