Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is set to make a Formula 1 comeback as he joins Audi/Sauber after the summer break. The Italian engineer, with a rich history at Ferrari spanning from engine development to the team’s leadership, will take on the roles of chief operating and chief technical officer at Audi.
This strategic move comes as Audi prepares for its 2026 F1 entry, marking a significant change in leadership for the team with the departure of Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann. Binotto’s deep-rooted experience in Formula 1, coupled with Audi’s ambitious plans, positions the German marque for a competitive entry into the pinnacle of motorsport.
Sauber’s 2024 campaign has been turbulent. With Alfa Romeo’s departure, the team entered a new era sponsored by online casino Stake, later rebranded as Kick in certain markets due to gambling restrictions.
Pitstop errors and reliability issues have plagued Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, preventing them from scoring a single point. A brief Q3 appearance in China offered hope, but an engine failure dashed those prospects. Despite the challenges, Sauber secured Nico Hulkenberg for 2025, a promising move given the German’s strong performances for Haas this season.
