Audi has just dropped a bombshell by appointing former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto to spearhead its Formula 1 project.

This move marks a shake-up in the management structure as Audi prepares for its 2026 debut.

From August 1, Binotto will take on the dual roles of chief operating officer and chief technical officer, stepping into the hot seat to drive Audi’s F1 ambitions.

This appointment comes on the heels of some major exits, with Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann, previously chairman of the board of directors, departing the project.

Why the sudden change of guard? It’s simple. Audi is ramping up its F1 preparations, and it's becoming increasingly clear that tighter control and enhanced infrastructure are critical.

Currently, Sauber, the team Audi will be taking over, has yet to score a point this season - a situation Audi aims to dramatically improve.

In an effort to hit the ground running for the 2026 campaign, Audi has fast-tracked its takeover of the Sauber team.

Mattia Binotto, a seasoned F1 veteran with over 25 years of experience, brings a wealth of knowledge from his time at Ferrari, where he climbed the ranks from engine and chassis technical departments to team principal.

Gernot Doellner, Audi's CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the new hire: “I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project. With his extensive experience, he will undoubtedly make a decisive contribution to Audi.”

Doellner added, “Our goal is to bring the entire Formula 1 project up to F1 speed through clear management structures, defined responsibilities, reduced interfaces, and efficient decision-making processes. The team must be able to act independently and quickly.”

Binotto’s departure from Ferrari at the end of the 2022 season came after a challenging year where Ferrari fell short of the world championship.

Despite this, his long tenure at Ferrari, beginning in 1995, saw him accumulate experience that Audi now seeks to leverage.

As for Seidl and Hoffmann, their contributions to Audi’s F1 entry have not gone unnoticed. Doellner acknowledged their efforts, stating, “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.”