Audi F1 Hires Binotto Seidl Sacked as CEO

Audi F1 appoints Mattia Binotto as new tech and operations director, replacing ousted Seidl.

Thunderous developments continue at Audi F1, still known today as Sauber. After struggles to secure a second driver for 2025, the company faces a significant leadership overhaul, a year and a half before Audi’s Formula 1 debut.

Andreas Seidl, CEO of the project since its inception, has been informed of his contract termination and dismissal from Sauber, and thus from the Audi F1 project. The former endurance CEO at Porsche and McLaren Formula 1 makes an unexpected departure.

Audi speaks of a “realignment of the project’s control structure,” and also announces the departure of Oliver Hoffmann, who until now was the chairman of Sauber’s executive committee and the Audi F1 project.

Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi, expressed gratitude for the contributions made by the two men in developing the project: “I would like to thank Oliver and Andreas for their significant work in preparing for our entry into Formula 1 and their commitment to the project.”

Another significant announcement involves a key recruitment in the team’s structure, as Mattia Binotto joins Audi F1 as Technical Director and Operations Director. Binotto previously held the technical director position at Ferrari, and reinstating him in this role is likely a good move.

However, Seidl’s replacement has not been announced. Nonetheless, Audi appears to confirm that Binotto will take over his duties, as he will be responsible for operational management and the team’s success, according to the press release. He will report directly to the executive board.

“I am thrilled that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project,” stated Döllner about Binotto. “With his extensive experience of over 25 years in Formula 1, he will undoubtedly make a decisive contribution to Audi.”

“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. To achieve this, the team must be capable of acting independently and swiftly.”