Mattia Binotto admitted it took him just two days to sign the contract to run Audi’s Formula 1 project, following a difficult period away from the sport before the German marque came calling.
Audi is set to complete a 100% takeover of the Hinwil-based Sauber operation in time for its 2026 F1 debut and Binotto was appointed as the German manufacturer’s Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer in July, filling the hole left by the dismissed Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann.
Binotto’s experience in F1 spans several decades, with all of his time within the sport coming at Ferrari, where he rose to the rank of Team Principal in 2019.
The Italian was let go by the Scuderia at the end of 2022 amid a failed title tilt and has admitted to being in the F1 wilderness since.
“I think it’s not an easy one, because after 30 years, you may dream of finally having some holidays,” Binotto told select media.
“You may dream of having some days off, to visit and stay with your family, which have been great times I have to say, and very useful.
“But to stop suddenly, after 28 years, you are always at 100 per cent, 120 per cent, 24/7. It’s hard.
“I was already back home watching all the sessions, analysing my data, trying to understand what was going on, reading newspapers, reading what journalists were writing.
“Just imagine how bad it can be, doing my own assessment!
“So no, it was hard, but I have passions. I think I didn’t accept any compromises, also in terms of offers I received, because I was really waiting for the project, which, when it came, we signed in two days, showing the big commitment to it.”
Despite being keen to jump back into F1 once Audi came calling, Binotto has an almighty task on his hands.
There is approximately a year and a half until Audi rolls onto the 2026 F1 grid and the Sauber squad it shall inherit is currently the weakest on the F1 grid, with zero points to its name after 16 rounds.
Binotto will have to lean on all his years working under the weight of a major automotive brand to ensure Audi is race-ready and competitive by ’26.
“I have a benchmark in mind,” Binotto said. “I think that will certainly help the project.
“‘What should we do? Then it’s a matter of, ‘how can we do it as fast as possible?’
“Today, I see the benchmark is clear. We are setting our priorities because you can’t do it all in one.
“It’s several years and as well, based on my experience, I was lucky to join Ferrari in 1995 and was part of that great period.
“But I saw the process and took time as well 30 years ago, by employing very young people, creating foundations, having senior skill people as well in the team, creating the team spirit, the mindset of a winning team, improving.
“So there is so much, which is fascinating, which I love. I was looking for a big challenge and I signed because the challenge is even bigger than the one that I was expecting.”
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