Mattia Binotto has been candid about the state in which he found Audi F1 after the takeover by Andreas Seidl. According to the former Ferrari team boss, the team was ‘frozen’ and too focused on the long term, resulting in little progress.
‘Frozen’ Team
“When I arrived in August, it felt as if everything was at a standstill. The team was frozen,” Binotto told Autosport. “Of course, a solid future plan is crucial, but there was a lack of urgency to improve current performance. We really needed to give the team a boost, and not just in 2026, but right now.”
Focus on 2026, but also on scoring now
The 2025 season is the last year before Audi officially enters Formula 1, but Binotto emphasizes that the team should not only focus on the long term. “It’s not just about avoiding a zero score. It’s also about laying the right foundation for development,” he explained. “If we don’t improve anything now, we’ll carry those problems into 2026. Fortunately, I see that the team is now convinced of what is needed.”
“The fact that points were scored in the final race of 2024 is a step in the right direction, according to Binotto. However, Sauber, as the team is still called until Audi’s full takeover, is seen as a contender for last place again in 2025.
Striving on the Track for Growth
According to Binotto, one of the biggest problems under Seidl was that everything was focused on 2026, without any plans to become stronger in the meantime. “You always have to keep fighting on the track,” the Italian stated. “Through competition, you learn where you stand in relation to your rivals, which weaknesses you need to address, and where you are stronger. That’s how a team grows.”
With a new driver duo, consisting of Nico Hülkenberg and Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber hopes to make strides in the coming season. The question is whether that will be enough to stay out of the backfield.
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