New Formula 1 boss

Fans of Formula 1 will be well acquainted with the newly-appointed Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer at Sauber Motorsport AG. Mattia Binotto has a long and storied career in motorsport and Formula 1, most recently rising to prominence as the Team Principal of Ferrari and shooting to prominence as one of the stars of the groundbreaking Netflix series, Drive to survive.

From August 1st, Binotto will head up Sauber Motorsport, a wholly-owned operation under Audi’s Formula 1 banner and the chassis designer for the brand’s entry to Formula 1 in 2026.

“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project,“ says Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG. “With his extensive experience of more than 25 years in Formula 1, he will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution for Audi.”

The Italian’s arrival at Sauber will not only brig more than 25 years of extensive experience at the very pinnacle of motorsport but also streamline the management structure. 

“Our aim is to bring the entire Formula 1 project up to F1 speed by means of clear management structures, defined responsibilities, reduced interfaces, and efficient decision-making processes,” says Döllner.

“For this purpose, the team must be able to act independently and quickly.”

This will see Binotto become Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer (COO and CTO) in the leadership team of Sauber Motorsport AG, with responsibility and accountability for the operative management and sporting success of the racing team. Mattia Binotto will report to the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG.

The move will also see Oliver Hoffmann, previously Chairman of the Boards of Directors of all Sauber companies, and Andreas Seidl, previously CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG and Sauber Technologies AG, leave the team.