Scuderia Ferrari’s former Team Principal Mattia Binotto’s return to F1 is fulfilled by Audi. Audi Formula One team appoints Binotto to lead their team.
Mattia Binotto’s return to F1 coincides with the departure of Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann.
Embed from Getty ImagesBinotto will assume the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer at Sauber starting August 1st, 2024.
Kick Sauber, the only team yet to score a point in this Formula One season, is set to transition into Audi starting in 2026.
Audi CEO’s Statement on Mattia Binotto’s Return To F1
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner expressed enthusiasm about Binotto’s arrival, emphasizing his potential to make a substantial impact on Audi’s ambitious Formula One project. He added,
“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 to Audi. Our aim is to bring the entire Formula 1 project up to speed with 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. I would like to thank Oliver and Andreas for their important work in establishing our entry into Formula 1 and their commitment in preparing for it.”
It’s quite a surprising development considering Seidl’s arrival at the project early in 2023 following a lengthy pursuit by the German manufacturer, which led to his departure from McLaren.
Yet, just 18 months into his role and a mere four months after being formally appointed as CEO of the Audi F1 Team, the situation has taken an unexpected turn.
Embed from Getty ImagesAndreas Seidl(on the left) and Oliver Hoffman(on the right)
Just four months after Oliver Hoffmann transitioned from leading Audi’s Technical Department to assuming the newly established role of Managing Director, Audi also opted to part ways with him.
This announcement has left the audience shell-shocked, and there are mixed reactions all over. Binotto’s appointment marks a significant strategic shift just 18 months ahead of Audi’s official entry into Formula One.
Audi’s Target Driver Line-up for 2026 and beyond
Embed from Getty ImagesCarlos Sainz Jr and Nico Hulkenberg
Former McLaren Team Principal Seidl played a crucial role in securing Nico Hulkenberg from Haas for 2025, but Audi’s efforts to finalize their second driver for next season and beyond are still ongoing.
However, thus far, their efforts to secure their top choice, Carlos Sainz Jr., have been unsuccessful in convincing him to sign the contract.
Future Of Audi F1 Team with Mattia Binotto’s Return to F1
With the newest decision of Audi, Binotto will have a year and a half to complete preparations for Audi’s full entry into Formula 1 by 2026.
Audi chiefs are optimistic that his appointment will accelerate the team’s rebuilding efforts and preparations, including securing a second driver for the 2025 season and beyond.
They also aim to enhance Sauber’s performance in the near term, ensuring Audi’s competitiveness in Formula 1 at the earliest opportunity.
Mattia Binotto’s previous connections with Formula One
Mattia Binotto has a background in engineering and has been with Ferrari since 1995, holding various technical roles before becoming Team Principal.
In 1995, Mattia Binotto joined Scuderia Ferrari in the engine department and remained with the team during its successful period in the early 2000s where they secured multiple drivers’ and constructors’ championship.
By 2013, he had advanced to the position of head of the engine department. In July 2016, Binotto took over as chief technical officer (CTO) of Ferrari, succeeding James Allison. During his tenure as CTO, Ferrari regained competitiveness with frequent race wins.
In 2019, he was promoted to the role of team principal, succeeding Maurizio Arrivabene.
During Binotto’s four-year tenure, Ferrari won only seven races without securing any championships, which is questionable given Ferrari’s legacy and Binotto’s involvement with the team since 1995.
Binotto’s Final Season with Scuderia Ferrari
After subpar and mediocre seasons in 2019, 2020, and 2021, Ferrari finally found a glimmer of hope at the beginning of the 2022 season, where they showed strong performance by securing a 1-2 finish in the season opener.
Ferrari held a comfortable lead in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships during the early stages of the season.
Embed from Getty ImagesFerrari’s 1-2 Finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix 2022
However, they were unable to maintain consistency. Due to a series of mistakes, poor strategy, and miscommunication, Ferrari’s hopes for both championships slipped away.
There were reported tensions between Binotto and Ferrari’s upper management, including Chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna. These tensions may have revolved around differing visions for the team’s future direction and performance expectations.
Binotto bears ultimate responsibility for that failure as the overall leader in charge. While he achieved some positive changes, he ultimately failed to address fundamental issues within the F1 team.
Management likely perceived a team that regressed rather than progressed throughout 2022 under his leadership.
Binotto departed from Ferrari following the disappointing 2022 season, during which the team’s championship aspirations fell short. Frederic Vasseur succeeded him as Team Principal.
2 replies on “Mattia Binotto’s Return to F1: Ferrari’s Ex-Team Principal to lead the Audi F1 team”
[…] other news, Ex-Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has joined as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer at Audi. He replaces Ex-Mclaren team principal Andreas Seidl and Audi executive Oliver Hoffmann, who was […]
[…] teammate. However, recent changes within the team’s internal administration, including the departure of Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann, hint at a potential lack of involvement and instability from the Audi Group in the project. […]