Mattia Binotto has revealed that he will serve as Sauber’s interim Team Principal in Formula 1 until Jonathan Wheatley takes up the permanent position next summer.
Following the news about Binotto, Audi then also revealed that it had poached long-term Red Bull Sporting Director Wheatley to be installed as its new Team Principal.
However, Wheatley’s contractual commitment to Red Bull has meant that the Briton will not be able to inherit his place with the Ingolstadt-based squad until next July.
Sauber has not operated with a Team Principal since Frederic Vasseur’s departure in late 2022, but Binotto has divulged he will assume the position prior to Wheatley.
The Swiss-Italian, who held a combined role at Ferrari between 2018-2022, has not revealed what will happen to Sauber Team Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi.
“I know the dual roles in Formula 1 well too, so I will accept this job, even if I won’t be attending all the races,” Binotto said at Monza via SoyMotor.
Meanwhile, Binotto, who has been conducting an internal review since starting his post last month, must decide who is given the remaining Sauber drive next season.
Sauber has current Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg signed to a long-term deal, but the Hinwil-based squad is mulling over the names to partner the experienced German.
Incumbent Valtteri Bottas, with the Swiss outfit since 2022, has been touted as the leading candidate, although the Finn has insisted that he desires a multi-term deal.
However, Binotto has divulged that Sauber reserve driver Theo Pourchaire and McLaren Junior Gabriele Bortoleto, who is second in Formula 2, are also viable options.
“We are looking at all our options. We have on the table the bet on youth or on experience,” Binotto explained.
“Nothing is decided yet, but we should decide soon, it is not good for our interests that there is more speculation.
“We are looking at several drivers. Theo Pourchaire is our reserve driver today and part of our family, so there is no doubt that he is on our list.
“Gabriel Bortoleto is also a possibility. He is doing very well in Formula 2 and has shown that he is a great talent.
“We are watching what he does in the championship, as we are also doing with others, but it is not just the drivers we have mentioned.
“There are drivers with potential, experience, it is just a matter of judging what is most important for us in the short, medium and long term.”
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